Tanker Marinera (formerly known as Bella-1) © Vessel Finder One of the oilers might be a “spy vessel”.
By apprehending tankers amidst a blockade activity near Venezuela, the American administration under the leadership of President Donald Trump revealed a stringent tactic, mirroring approaches frequently employed by the Kremlin in its international affairs.
This perspective was voiced by the president of the Center for Global Studies “Strategy XXI,” alongside being a specialist in worldwide energy and security matters, Mykhailo Honchar, featured on the “Espresso” television program.
“The US proceeded according to a certain Russian tenet: initially, display Kuzkin’s mother, a common action observed in the Kremlin, and subsequently, implement the principle: only a crooked countermeasure can address a crooked situation. Meaning, the Americans undeniably acted in a twisted manner here, but it was worthwhile,” he stated.
Honchar mentioned that the seized tanker, Marinera (formerly recognized as Bella-1), sailed under the Russian ensign. He highlighted that the vessel possesses a considerable draft, potentially indicating the absence of crude oil onboard. According to his analysis, this offers grounds to suggest the tanker may have served purposes beyond just transporting energy supplies, potentially fulfilling a different role.
“There exists a suspicion, particularly observing its maneuvering off the Venezuelan coast. Essentially, it might have undergone specific modifications and functioned as a bearer of some specialized restriction apparatus. Its presence near Venezuela, purportedly for an oil shipment, seems suspicious. However, for the time being, this remains a supposition, and I anticipate that the Americans will thoroughly scrutinize all aspects,” the analyst appended.
Conversely, the other confiscated tanker, M/T Sophia, carried a cargo of oil, confirming that the US measures did not hinge on the type of consignment. The mere act of detaining both ships, irrespective of their standing, is seen by the expert as a sign that the Russian banner no longer ensures maritime protection.
Honchar reminded listeners of the occurrence in the Baltic Sea several months ago, wherein Russian military individuals intervened in an endeavor by the Estonian Naval Force to intercept a tanker en route to a Russian harbor. In his view, the US factored in this episode and behaved in a fashion that circumvented any military retort from Russia.
“And this signifies that the Russian flag on the tanker doesn’t genuinely afford protection. The reality that the Russian Naval vessel or submarine didn’t initiate any measures contrasts with the scenario some months prior, when the Estonian Naval Force in the Baltic Sea attempted to halt an unladen tanker proceeding to Ust-Luga, Russia, for loading, and thereafter Russia answered by launching a fighter aircraft, which warded off the Estonian Navy, and the tanker disregarded directives and didn’t cease its progress. Supposedly, the Americans took this into account. Also, in a typical move, persevering to utilize force, Russia enacted a demonstrative step in Venezuela, exhibiting Putin’s dominance and undermining him amid these actions,” Gonchar concluded.
As a note, within the bounds of the undertaking to barricade vessels affiliated with Venezuela, the US apprehended the Panamanian-registered oiler Sophia, together with the sanctioned vessel Bella-1, which, after altering its identity to Marinera, underwent re-registration under the Russian banner.