US military failed to capture the "Bella 1" oil tanker, which suddenly painted the Russian flag, prompting the US commander to issue an emergency order to stop!
The "Bella 1" recently engaged in a 10-day chase with the US military near the waters of Venezuela. When the US surveillance system locked onto the ship's movements, it quickly dispatched warships and special operations units to prepare for interception and inspection. At that moment, a sudden turn of events occurred. As the US approached the ship, the crew suddenly painted a large Russian flag pattern on the deck.
This also explains why the US commander immediately halted the operation after discovering the Russian flag. Currently, US-Russia relations are already at a high level of tension, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing Ukraine war and intensified competition in the Arctic. Any action that could potentially lead to direct conflict is treated with extreme caution. The US clearly does not want to give Moscow an excuse to escalate the confrontation over a single oil tanker.
It is worth noting that the crew on board comes from Russia, India, and Ukraine. This multi-national configuration is common in gray shipping, as it can avoid regulation by a single country and create a vague area when diplomatic disputes arise. Russia has already requested the U.S. State Department to stop pursuing this oil tanker.
This incident has implications beyond just a failed interception. First, it exposes the lack of confidence of the US military when facing Russia. Second, more oil tankers will likely pretend to be Russian in the future. Then, when will Chinese oil tankers also face such treatment?
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853171778646019/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.