North Atlantic Crisis: 3 Indians Among 28 Crew Members Onboard Russian Vessel Detained By US

North Atlantic Crisis: In the North Atlantic Ocean, the US Coast Guard and special forces seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera (Bella-1) on Wednesday. According to reports, the tanker's crew consisted of 28 members, including three Indian, two Russian, six Georgian, and 17 Ukrainian citizens. 

What is Russia’s stand?

The Russian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the US action, calling it a gross violation of international maritime law and labelling it a "neo-colonial" policy. Moscow demanded humane treatment of the crew and the swift repatriation of the Russian citizens.

"We call on Washington to resume compliance with the fundamental norms and principles of international maritime navigation and to immediately cease its illegal actions against the Marinera tanker and other vessels engaged in lawful activities on the high seas," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The Russian government has stated that it considers the US references to its national "sanctions law" unfounded. The Russian Foreign Ministry further stated that the claims by some US officials that the seizure of the Marinera vessel is part of a broader strategy to establish unlimited US control over Venezuela's natural resources are utterly reprehensible. We categorically reject such neo-colonial tendencies.

What are Russia’s demands? 

The statement further added that unilateral restrictive measures by the US, as well as other Western countries, are illegal and cannot justify attempts to establish jurisdiction, and even more so, attempts to seize vessels on the high seas. 

Demanding humane and respectful treatment of the ship’s crew, the statement said, "We reiterate our demand that the US ensure humane and respectful treatment of the Russian citizens among the tanker's crew, strictly observe their rights and interests, and not hinder their swift repatriation." 

What led to the crisis?

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the Marinera, which had received temporary permission to sail under the Russian flag in accordance with international law and Russian legislation on December 24, was peacefully transiting international waters in the North Atlantic and heading toward one of Russia's ports. 

The US government has claimed that it had repeatedly received reliable information from various sources, including the Russian Foreign Ministry, regarding the vessel's Russian origin and its civilian status.

The ministry said that Russia did not consent to these actions. On the contrary, it had lodged official protests with the U.S. government over the past several weeks regarding the pursuit of the Marinera by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel and insisted on the immediate cessation of these activities and the withdrawal of the unlawful demands made of the Russian ship's captain. Under these circumstances, the boarding and effective seizure of a civilian vessel on the high seas by U.S. military personnel, along with the detention of its crew, can only be considered a gross violation of international maritime law and the fundamental principles and norms of freedom of navigation.