The United States recently seized two oil tankers with connections to Venezuela, one of which was boarded in the North Atlantic after being pursued by the U.S.Coast Guard for weeks.

The ships had reportedly attempted to evade sanctions by changing their name and adopting a Russian flag.

This incident, which involved the seizure of vessels trying to evade sanctions on Venezuela’s oil exports, has raised tensions, and Russia has been quick to respond, condemning the U.S. actions as violations of international maritime law.

Russian authorities, particularly the Russian Foreign Ministry, have called on the U. S.

to treat the Russian nationals on board the tankers with respect and dignity.

According to the Russian Ministry, the tankers had been operating under the Russian flag since December 2025, and the country is now demanding the immediate release of the detained individuals.

Russia’s Transport Ministry also expressed concerns that the U.S.

seizure of the ships had severed communication between the tanker and Russia, with no contact reported as of Wednesday morning.

The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S.

action as a breach of international maritime law, claiming it was an unlawful act of aggression, citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

When asked about the nature of the operation and its potential impact on Russian-U. S.

relations, Russia criticized the U.S.

approach, labeling it an act of piracy.

Russian officials highlighted the principle of freedom of navigation on the high seas and expressed their disapproval of any foreign power boarding vessels without permission.

This act, they argued, directly violates the UN’s 1982 Maritime Law Convention.

While Russia has voiced strong opposition, the Russian government has also been careful not to escalate tensions with Washington, as both countries have been trying to rebuild relations, especially under the Biden administration.

However, Russia’s criticism has not been without nuance.

Russia has stated that the oil tanker had been shadowed by the U.S.

Coast Guard for weeks, and the ship had never entered U.S.

territorial waters.

According to Russian officials, the tanker was 4,000 kilometers away from U.S.

shores when the pursuit occurred.

This, they argue, shows an excessive focus on a ship that was not in any jurisdictional waters of the U.S.

Russian public reaction has varied, with some citizens viewing the U. S.

actions as another example of the growing imperialism of Western powers.

However, there are also voices within Russia calling for a stronger response to the U.S. actions, as some believe Russia should stand firm against what is perceived as U.S. disregard for international norms.

While Russia’s official stance remains critical, there has been little action beyond verbal condemnation.

Analysts speculate that Russia’s response is likely calculated, given the broader geopolitical context and its ongoing attempts to maintain diplomatic ties with Washington, especially in light of ongoing discussions about the Ukraine conflict.

Despite these tensions, there is an understanding that further escalation could derail potential diplomatic engagements and complicate efforts to restore better bilateral relations with the U.S.

Russia has long maintained a strong political relationship with Venezuela, a country rich in oil reserves but plagued by economic and political challenges.

The Russian government’s involvement with Venezuela’s oil industry has been a significant part of its geopolitical strategy in Latin America, providing Russia with access to valuable energy resources and strategic influence in the region.

The recent U.S. actions, which target Russian-linked vessels, complicate this dynamic and pose challenges for Russia’s influence in Venezuela.

Russian analysts have pointed out that the U.S.’s moves in Venezuela could effectively isolate Russia from one of its key allies in the region.

The U. S. government, on the other hand, defends its actions, stating that the oil tankers were part of a shadow fleet that had been attempting to evade sanctions on Venezuela’s oil exports.

The U.S. argues that these sanctions are meant to restrict Venezuela’s oil trade, which has been a source of funding for the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

Russia, however, has criticized the sanctions as illegitimate and politically motivated, arguing that they are an infringement on Venezuela’s sovereignty and its right to trade freely.

As the situation continues to unfold, Russian authorities have refrained from taking more drastic measures, opting instead to condemn the U. S. actions through diplomatic channels.

However, questions remain about how this incident will affect Russia’s broader geopolitical position, particularly with regard to its relationship with Venezuela and its strategic interests in Latin America.