Posted on 01/06/2026 10:26:46 PM PST by NoLibZone
Sanctioned vessel reportedly under NATO surveillance as Russia asks US to halt pursuit
A Venezuela-linked oil tanker operating in the so-called "dark fleet" painted a Russian flag on its hull, changed its name, and reflagged to Russia in an apparent bid to evade the U.S. Coast Guard, according to reports.
The vessel has since been spotted off Ireland, with the U.S., U.K., France and Ireland reportedly conducting aerial surveillance after it escaped U.S. interception in December, The Times reported.
Meanwhile, Russia has reportedly since deployed a submarine and naval assets to escort the tanker to its own waters, the Wall Street Journal reported late Tuesday.
Russia’s state-controlled foreign media outlet RT shared a video filmed from the tanker’s deck, allegedly showing a U.S. Coast Guard cutter following the vessel.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Expect a Ukie drone boat to take it out soon.
You mean like the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989?
The captain was named Hazelwood and he was mega-drunk on duty.
russianfagmural
oops,russianflagmural... I thonk this is the ship that tucked into Cuba for a while, with some additive on board for use with that heavy crude.
Well, the front fell off
It was towed outside the environment
It’s not in an environment!
There’s NOTHING OUT THERE!
Just sea, and birds, and fish
And 20,000 tons of crude oil
And fire 🔥🔥🔥
https://youtu.be/3m5qxZm_JqM?si=0jqGXYsDbtENYpfq
Why does Russia need to import oil from Venezuela?
Russia is importing Venezuelan oil?!
Regards,
My thoughts exactly. Maybe they want the tanker rather than the oil?
Also if previous ship seizures are any guide, we drop a SEAL team onboard and take over the ship. What is the sub supposed to do? Sink the ship?
Also the headline is misleading, the tanker hasn't evaded the Coast Guard, we know exactly where it is.
Maybe the Russians want to sell the Venezuelan oil on the black market in order to avoid the sanctions on Russian oil?
And then use the money to fund their war on Ukraine.
That would be a damned shame if those klutzy Russians were to do that.
That’s a good reason to go to war with Russia over a tanker ship.
Maybe oil is not the only cargo. Maybe some Russian spy stationed in Venezuela needs to get back home.
Such a classic.
“Yeah, that’s not very typical, I’d like to make that point.”
If the tanker is flying a Russian flag, dropping a SEAL team in is a serious act of war with a nuclear armed state. I don’t think we want to go there.
Yeah, that's the ticket! What better way for a super-secret Russian spy to evade detection?!
A Venezuela-linked oil tanker operating in the so-called "dark fleet" painted a Russian flag on its hull, changed its name, and reflagged to Russia [...]
Regards,
Running a blockade to traffic with the enemy is also an act of war in case anyone forgot that Cuba thing.
😂😄🤣🤣🤣
That’s ok as the Russian “Dark Fleet” is also banned and subject to seizure.
How does something as huge as an oil tanker evade our Coast Guard?
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