U.S. forces successfully launched a mission to seize the Marinera, formerly Bella 1, on Jan. 7. Russian state media released imagery from the vessel showing a 160th SOAR MH-6 Little Bird nearby.
After much speculation over the previous week, and a huge buildup of special forces assets in the UK, the operation to seize the now Russian-flagged oil tanker, the Marinera, has finally been launched. Rather than using the aircraft deployed to the UK, multiple images taken from the ship and released by RT instead depict an MH-6 Little Bird, the 160th SOAR’s smallest helicopter, operating near the ship with special forces personnel lining the side doors.
BREAKING: The United States is currently conducting an operation to seize the crude oil tanker Marinera. There is no additional information at this time regarding the status or involvement of any Russian escort vessels. pic.twitter.com/alcm50Y8U5
— GMI (@Global_Mil_Info) January 7, 2026
The scoop came first from Reuters, who reported via unnamed U.S. officials just after 12:30 UTC on Jan. 7 that “The United States is attempting to seize a Venezuela-linked oil tanker after a more two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic”.
SCOOP – The United States is attempting to seize a Venezuela-linked oil tanker after a more two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic
The seizure, which could stoke tensions with Russia, came after the tanker, originally known as the Bella-1, slipped through a U.S. maritime…
— Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) January 7, 2026
As we said could be the case in our previous article, this might confirm that the deployment of 160th SOAR Black Hawks and Chinooks, as well as activity from the CV-22B Ospreys of the 7th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) at RAF Fairford, could have been intended as a diversionary tactic. While the eyes of the world – Russia’s included – were drawn to these, the real mission force was being assembled elsewhere. If needed, the deployed forces would still be available as a reserve. Or, perhaps, they were here for an exercise after all.
The Little Bird has a shorter range than 160th SOAR’s other options, and is not capable of air to air refueling. Either it had been stationed aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter tailing the oil tanker, or another ship has been lurking nearby – likely with even more aviation facilities. The delay in launching the mission would have been to allow the tanker to come within range of the UK and any reserve forces, for additional support or search and rescue (SAR) coverage.
If true, where did the Little Birds come from? They have no air-air refueling capability. I was spit balling some basic math last night, about a 4.5 hour trip one-way to the Marinera from EGUN flight planning around 160 knots and multiple aerial refuelings with the C-130s.
This… pic.twitter.com/Nj1BKotbnm
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) January 7, 2026
MARINERA (9230880) just made a sudden southbound turn at 11:26 UTC at 60.9386, -16.37014. Decelerated from 9kn to 8kn speed. pic.twitter.com/dH8BnpF6r5
— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) January 7, 2026
Shortly before the image was released by RT, a media outlet owned by the Russian state, the Marinera was shown on AIS tracking sites to have changed course directly towards the south. U.S. officials have told reporters that the oil tanker was boarded by U.S. military – including Coast Guard – personnel before surface and sub-surface escorts from the Russian Navy arrived on scene.
U.S. forces boarded sanctioned oil tanker between Iceland and the British isles before Russian warships and a submarine could arrive, officials say. The tanker was previously called Bella 1, but had reflagged to become a Russian vessel.
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) January 7, 2026
AC-130Js departed Mildenhall earlier and routed towards the north – while their armament is very unlikely to come into play, their intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) payload and communications capabilities would allow them to provide overwatch for the operation as well as feed information in real time back to military and government officials. P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft have also been continuing their patrols.
Update 14:00 UTC
U.S. European Command (EUCOM) has confirmed the seizure of the vessel, which they refer to as Bella 1. The operation was undertaken to enforce a warrant from a U.S. federal court. It also reveals the identity of the tailing U.S. Coast Guard cutter as the USCGC Munro (WMSL 755).
The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar today announced the seizure of
the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions. The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro. pic.twitter.com/bm5KcCK30X
— U.S. European Command (@US_EUCOM) January 7, 2026
Update 15:30 UTC
A simultaneous mission was mounted to secure the vessel M Sophia in the Caribbean, and video footage was released showing this operation. The ship can clearly be distinguished from the Bella 1/Marinera due to the superstructure design.
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 state sources say they have lost contact with the Marinera.
The first official statement from the Russian government following the seizure of Russia-flagged MARINERA / BELLA-1 tanker by the United States.
Russian Ministry of Transport refers to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea:
“In accordance with the provisions of the 1982 UN… https://t.co/CdF0A6Lsfg pic.twitter.com/OlCwxLolzQ
— Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) January 7, 2026
MC-130J Commando II aircraft from Mildenhall’s 352nd SOW are tracking in the vicinity of the tanker. These aircraft are able to refuel other aircraft (at least, those compatible with the hose and drogue system) in midair, though we note again that the MH-6 Little Bird helicopters seen in RT’s images from the tanker are equipped for this.
Instead, it is likely that the MC-130Js are supporting CV-22B Ospreys, also from the 352nd, which departed Fairford earlier today. Whether they were directly involved in the operation, or held back as a reserve/support force, is currently unclear as we have no photographic or video evidence depicting them. The MC-130Js displayed on sites like Flightradar24 under civilian registrations – this has become increasingly common, with these aircraft apparently having both civilian and military identities linked to different Mode S codes. The civilian registrations are linked to civilian Mode S codes as recorded by the Federal Aviation Administration, while the military serials are tied to military codes based on reporting from those who have visibly identified the aircraft in person.
Ok so we have N103MC, and N167MC. We’ll have to find more.
I totally think these are tactical regs/hexes they are using for ops. https://t.co/imxwlH2gfY
— 𝗦𝗥_𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 (@SR_Planespotter) January 7, 2026
As is now common with emerging stories, there are many claims and images circling widely on social media which either cannot be corroborated or are known to be from previous operations or exercises.
Update 15:45 UTC
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has now confirmed it assisted U.S. forces with the seizure mission. Naval auxiliary tanker RFA Tideforce “provided support” for U.S. vessels and RAF P-8 Poseidons contributed to the ISR coverage.
BREAKING: UK Ministry of Defence confirms it helped the US capture Bella 1.
Statement says “RFA Tideforce provided support for U.S. forces pursuing and interdicting the Bella 1, while the RAF provided surveillance support from the air.”
— Larisa Brown (@larisamlbrown) January 7, 2026
Secretary of State for Defence John Healey confirmed: “Today our UK Armed Forces showed skill and professionalism in support of a successful U.S. 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.”
The UK consented to the use of its bases, and contributed operational support, the MoD said.
ZP806 – 43C91D https://t.co/8Kn5lbGSQP pic.twitter.com/5bJiNceNQ2
— Pierre Davide Borrelli (@PierreDavideB) January 7, 2026
RAF P-8 Poseidons, designated Poseidon MRA1 in UK service, have been tracked in the vicinity of the tanker on numerous occasions alongside their U.S. counterparts.
This article will be updated as new information becomes available.
