• RAF surveillance aircraft and UK airbases directly supported US special forces during the seizure of the sanctioned Russian-linked tanker in Icelandic waters.
• The operation risked direct confrontation with Russian military assets, including a submarine operating nearby in the North Atlantic.
• Russia condemned the seizure as illegal, while the UK and US say it was necessary to enforce sanctions against shadow-fleet oil smuggling.

British forces quietly backed a high-risk US operation to seize a sanctioned oil tanker linked to Russia, in a move that has sharply escalated tensions with Moscow.

The vessel, Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, was intercepted in Icelandic waters after a two-week pursuit by the US Coast Guard. British involvement included RAF surveillance aircraft and logistical support from UK airbases, confirming Britain’s direct role in enforcing sanctions against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”.

US special forces boarded the tanker amid reports of Russian military assets nearby, including a submarine. The operation carried the real risk of a direct confrontation between NATO forces and Moscow in the North Atlantic.

Russia’s transport ministry later confirmed it had lost contact with the vessel and condemned the seizure as a “violation of international law”.

The operation signals a tougher stance from the administration of Donald Trump, contradicting claims that Washington is softening toward the Kremlin. US officials said the tanker had defied a naval blockade linked to Venezuela and was engaged in sanctioned oil transfers.

🚨 BREAKING: The UK was involved in the US seizure of the Russian-linked oil tanker near Scotland

RAF planes helped US special forces in carrying out the operation pic.twitter.com/QqfJXTUhCe

— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) January 7, 2026

Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed RAF aircraft were involved, including a Poseidon MRA1 maritime patrol plane that was tracked over the North Atlantic before switching off its transponder.

The Ministry of Defence said UK forces provided “pre-planned operational support” following a US request, highlighting the depth of the UK-US defence relationship.

Healey described the vessel as part of a “Russian-Iranian axis” that funds conflict and instability from Ukraine to the Middle East, adding that Britain would step up action against sanctions evasion to protect national security.

At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US would not hesitate to enforce embargoes against illegal oil shipments. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned the seizure should “put the world’s criminals on notice”.

Russian media reacted furiously, with commentators warning the incident could push relations closer to open conflict. State broadcaster RT released footage of US helicopters hovering over the tanker during the boarding.

The seizure comes amid wider concerns over NATO’s future and rising global tensions as Washington asserts control over energy routes and sanctions enforcement.