UK assists US in seizure of Russian tanker Marinera

The United Kingdom has assisted in the seizure of the Russian-owned tanker Marinera at the request of the US government, according to a statement from the UK Ministry of Defence, Report informs.

Britain deployed reconnaissance aircraft to track the tanker and provided its air bases to the US Air Force to support the operation.

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The United States launched an operation Wednesday to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic, two US officials told NBC News, following a dramatic weekslong chase on the high seas, Report informs.

The ship has been secured, according to one of the US officials, and the Department of Homeland Security is leading the operation with the support from the US military.

The vessel, which changed its name from the Bella 1 to the Marinera, was initially pursued by the US Coast Guard off Venezuela last month.