Moscow says it expects U.S. to release Russian crew from seized Venezuela-linked tanker

Moscow says it expects the United States to free Russian crew members from the Venezuela‑linked oil tanker Marinera seized by U.S. naval forces in the Atlantic, highlighting a diplomatic flashpoint as the vessel’s multinational crew, including Russians, was detained after Washington’s operation to block Venezuelan oil exports.

Vladimir Soldatkin/Reuters

January 20, 2026

Moscow says it expects U.S. to release Russian crew from seized Venezuela-linked tanker

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during his annual press conference in Moscow, Russia January 20, 2026.

Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow expects the United States to free the Russian crew members aboard a Venezuela-linked oil tanker seized by Washington in the Atlantic earlier this month.

Lavrov said two Russians, as well as Ukrainians, Georgians and Indians, were serving as crew members on the Marinera when U.S. naval forces boarded it near Iceland on January 7 as part of efforts to block oil exports from Venezuela.

-Vladimir Soldatkin/Reuters