Moscow, Jan. 7 -- Following the seizure of the Russian-flagged oil tanker by US military forces earlier on Wednesday, Moscow issued a strong condemnation of Washington, asserting that no country has the right to use force against vessels lawfully registered under another state's jurisdiction, particularly on the high seas.

In a statement issued on Telegram, Russia's Ministry of Transport said that the tanker Marinera, originally named Bella 1, had received a temporary permit to sail under the Russian Federation flag on December 24, 2025, in accordance with Russian and international law.

The statement noted that the vessel was boarded by US Naval forces outside their territorial waters, following which contact with the vessel was lost. ...