After a lot hypothesis over the earlier week, and an enormous buildup of particular forces belongings within the UK, the operation to grab the now Russian-flagged oil tanker, the Marinera, has lastly been launched. Fairly than utilizing the plane deployed to the UK, a number of photographs taken from the ship and launched by RT as an alternative depict an MH-6 Little Chook, the one hundred and sixtieth SOAR’s smallest helicopter, working close to the ship with particular forces personnel lining the aspect doorways.
BREAKING: The US is presently conducting an operation to grab the crude oil tanker Marinera. There is no such thing as a further info at the moment relating to the standing or involvement of any Russian escort vessels. pic.twitter.com/alcm50Y8U5
— GMI (@Global_Mil_Info) January 7, 2026
The news got here first from Reuters, who reported through unnamed U.S. officers simply after 12:30 UTC on Jan. 7 that “The US is making an attempt to grab a Venezuela-linked oil tanker after a extra two-week-long pursuit throughout the Atlantic”.
SCOOP – The US is making an attempt to grab a Venezuela-linked oil tanker after a extra two-week-long pursuit throughout the AtlanticThe seizure, which might stoke tensions with Russia, got here after the tanker, initially generally known as the Bella-1, slipped via a U.S. maritime…
— Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) January 7, 2026
As we stated might be the case in our earlier article, this would possibly verify that the deployment of one hundred and sixtieth SOAR Black Hawks and Chinooks, in addition to exercise from the CV-22B Ospreys of the seventh Particular Operations Squadron (SOS) at RAF Fairford, might have been meant as a diversionary tactic. Whereas the eyes of the world – Russia’s included – have been drawn to those, the true mission pressure was being assembled elsewhere. If wanted, the deployed forces would nonetheless be accessible as a reserve. Or, maybe, they have been right here for an train in any case.
The Little Chook has a shorter vary than one hundred and sixtieth SOAR’s different choices, and isn’t able to air to air refueling. Both it had been stationed aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter tailing the oil tanker, or one other ship has been lurking close by – probably with much more aviation services. The delay in launching the mission would have been to permit the tanker to return inside vary of the UK and any reserve forces, for added help or search and rescue (SAR) protection.
If true, the place did the Little Birds come from? They don’t have any air-air refueling functionality. I used to be spit balling some primary math final evening, a couple of 4.5 hour journey one-way to the Marinera from EGUN flight planning round 160 knots and a number of aerial refuelings with the C-130s.
This… pic.twitter.com/Nj1BKotbnm
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) January 7, 2026
MARINERA (9230880) simply made a sudden southbound flip at 11:26 UTC at 60.9386, -16.37014. Decelerated from 9kn to 8kn velocity. pic.twitter.com/dH8BnpF6r5
— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) January 7, 2026
Shortly earlier than the picture was launched by RT, a media outlet owned by the Russian state, the Marinera was proven on AIS monitoring websites to have modified course immediately in direction of the south. U.S. officers have instructed reporters that the oil tanker was boarded by U.S. navy – together with Coast Guard – personnel earlier than floor and sub-surface escorts from the Russian Navy arrived on scene.
U.S. forces boarded sanctioned oil tanker between Iceland and the British isles earlier than Russian warships and a submarine might arrive, officers say. The tanker was beforehand referred to as Bella 1, however had reflagged to develop into a Russian vessel.
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) January 7, 2026
AC-130Js departed Mildenhall earlier and routed in direction of the north – whereas their armament may be very unlikely to return into play, their intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) payload and communications capabilities would permit them to offer overwatch for the operation in addition to feed info in actual time again to navy and authorities officers. P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol plane have additionally been persevering with their patrols.
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U.S. European Command (EUCOM) has confirmed the seizure of the vessel, which they consult with as Bella 1. The operation was undertaken to implement a warrant from a U.S. federal courtroom. It additionally reveals the identification of the tailing U.S. Coast Guard cutter because the USCGC Munro (WMSL 755).
The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar right now introduced the seizure ofthe M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions. The vessel was seized within the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal courtroom after being tracked by USCGC Munro. pic.twitter.com/bm5KcCK30X
— U.S. European Command (@US_EUCOM) January 7, 2026
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A simultaneous mission was mounted to safe the vessel M Sophia within the Caribbean, and video footage was launched exhibiting this operation. The ship can clearly be distinguished from the Bella 1/Marinera because of the superstructure design.
In two predawn operations right now, the Coast Guard carried out back-to-back meticulously coordinated boarding of two “ghost fleet” tanker ships— one within the North Atlantic Sea and one in worldwide waters close to the Caribbean. Each 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’ve misplaced contact with the Marinera.
The primary official assertion from the Russian authorities following the seizure of Russia-flagged MARINERA / BELLA-1 tanker by the US.
Russian Ministry of Transport refers back to the UN Conference on the Legislation of the Sea:
“In accordance with the provisions of the 1982 UN… pic.twitter.com/OlCwxLolzQ
— Standing-6 (Struggle & Navy Information) (@Archer83Able) January 7, 2026
MC-130J Commando II plane from Mildenhall’s 352nd SOW are monitoring within the neighborhood of the tanker. These plane are in a position to refuel different plane (not less than, these suitable with the hose and drogue system) in midair, although we observe once more that the MH-6 Little Chook helicopters seen in RT’s photographs from the tanker are outfitted for this.
As a substitute, it’s probably that the MC-130Js are supporting CV-22B Ospreys, additionally from the 352nd, which departed Fairford earlier right now. Whether or not they have been immediately concerned within the operation, or held again as a reserve/help pressure, is presently unclear as we’ve no photographic or video proof depicting them. The MC-130Js displayed on websites like Flightradar24 underneath civilian registrations – this has develop into more and more widespread, with these plane apparently having each civilian and navy identities linked to completely different Mode S codes. The civilian registrations are linked to civilian Mode S codes as recorded by the Federal Aviation Administration, whereas the navy serials are tied to navy codes based mostly on reporting from those that have visibly recognized the plane in particular person.
Okay so we’ve N103MC, and N167MC. We’ll have to seek out extra.
I completely assume these are tactical regs/hexes they’re utilizing for ops.
— 𝗦𝗥_𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 (@SR_Planespotter) January 7, 2026
As is now widespread with rising tales, there are a lot of claims and pictures circling broadly on social media which both can’t be corroborated or are recognized to be from earlier operations or workouts.
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The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has now confirmed it assisted U.S. forces with the seizure mission. Naval auxiliary tanker RFA Tideforce “supplied help” for U.S. vessels and RAF P-8 Poseidons contributed to the ISR protection.
BREAKING: UK Ministry of Defence confirms it helped the US seize Bella 1.Assertion says “RFA Tideforce supplied help for U.S. forces pursuing and interdicting the Bella 1, whereas the RAF supplied surveillance help from the air.”
— Larisa Brown (@larisamlbrown) January 7, 2026
Secretary of State for Defence John Healey confirmed: “Immediately our UK Armed Forces confirmed ability and professionalism in help of a profitable U.S. interception of the vessel Bella 1 whereas on its solution to Russia. This motion shaped a part of international efforts to crack down on sanctions busting.”
The UK consented to using its bases, and contributed operational help, the MoD stated.
ZP806 – 43C91D pic.twitter.com/5bJiNceNQ2
— Pierre Davide Borrelli (@PierreDavideB) January 7, 2026
RAF P-8 Poseidons, designated Poseidon MRA1 in UK service, have been tracked within the neighborhood of the tanker on quite a few events alongside their U.S. counterparts.
This text shall be up to date as new info turns into accessible.
