On Wednesday afternoon the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that the UK “provided support” to assist the US in their operation to seize the Russian flagged vessel.
The US led operation involved a RFA Tideforce vessel and the RAF provided air surveillance support.
The MoD said in a statement, “The UK has provided enabling support to the United States at their request to interdict the vessel Bella 1 today.”
They added it was a “pre-planned operational support, including basing, to US military assets,” and the UK’s support was done “in full compliance with international law.
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The Defence Secretary John Healey said, “Today our UK Armed Forces showed skill and professionalism in support of a successful US interception of the vessel Bella 1 while on its way to Russia. This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting.”
Healey pointed out that the vessel had a “nefarious history” which was “part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion which is fuelling terrorism, conflict, and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine“.
Healey added that the UK’s relationship with the US is “an essential part of our security.”
He said, “Today’s seamlessly executed operation shows just how well this works in practice.”
In two predawn operations today, the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously coordinated boarding of two “ghost fleet” tanker ships— one in the North Atlantic Sea and one in international waters near the Caribbean. Both vessels —the Motor Tanker Bella I and the Motor… pic.twitter.com/EZlHEtcufX
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 7, 2026
Russian media outlet Tass reported that Andrei Klishas, a member of the upper house of Russia‘s parliament, branded the operation as “outright piracy.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry has demanded “humane and dignified treatment” of the Russians who are onboard the Marinera.
They said they want the “prompt return” of the sailors and the ministry is watching the situation “closely.”
Russia’s Transport Ministry said in a statement that Russia gave the Bella 1 a temporary permit on Christmas Ever to “fly the Russian Federation flag, issued in accordance with Russian law and international law.”
The Ministry said on Wednesday afternoon, “Today, at approximately 3:00 PM Moscow time, the vessel was boarded by US Navy forces in the high seas outside the territorial waters of any state. Contact with the vessel was lost.
“In accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in waters on the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states.”
