The US “Wall Street Journal” quoted an American official on the 6th as reporting that Russia has sent a submarine and other naval forces to escort an airborne tanker that was once intercepted by the US military in the waters off Venezuela. According to reports, in December 2025, the tanker, originally named “Bella 1,” successfully blocked attempts by US personnel to board the ship and sail into the Atlantic Ocean. While being chased by the US Coast Guard, the tanker painted a Russian flag pattern on the hull, changed its name to “Sailor,” and changed the country of registration to Russia. The tanker is currently located about 480 km south of Iceland and is sailing towards the North Sea.

The US “Wall Street Journal” quoted an American official on the 6th as reporting that Russia has sent a submarine and other naval forces to escort an airborne tanker that was once intercepted by the US military in the waters off Venezuela. According to reports, in December 2025, the tanker, originally named “Bella 1,” successfully blocked attempts by US personnel to board the ship and sail into the Atlantic Ocean. While being chased by the US Coast Guard, the tanker painted a Russian flag pattern on the hull, changed its name to “Sailor,” and changed the country of registration to Russia. The tanker is currently located about 480 km south of Iceland and is sailing towards the North Sea.