US and Russia face off fiercely in the Atlantic, US P8A forces Russian nuclear submarine back, successfully captures Russian giant oil tanker!
The US Coast Guard has been tracking the Russian oil tanker "Bella 1" since December 2025, monitoring its attempt to load cargo near Venezuela's coast. However, when the US was preparing to board and inspect the ship, it suddenly displayed a prominent Russian flag on its deck, changed its name to "Marinella," and quickly re-registered in Russia. Then, the US stepped back, fearing further actions might provoke Moscow.
The real turning point occurred around January 6, 2026. Evidently realizing the seriousness of the situation, Russia sent at least one nuclear-powered submarine and surface ships to the North Atlantic to rendezvous with the oil tanker and provide armed escort. This move is highly unusual - Russia rarely provides direct military protection for commercial oil tankers, especially in the middle of the Atlantic, far from its traditional sphere of influence. This act challenges the US's maritime law enforcement authority and is also a strong declaration to the White House.
Facing the approaching Russian submarines, the US decisively escalated to a military confrontation, deploying the P-8A "Poseidon" anti-submarine patrol aircraft to continuously monitor the position of the Russian submarine, while the AC-130J gunship and U-28A reconnaissance aircraft provided aerial surveillance and deterrence. After confirming that the Russian vessels did not take any aggressive actions, the US Coast Guard, together with special operations forces, forcibly boarded the "Marinella" under the support of the "Monroe" patrol ship.
After boarding, all original crew members were detained, and the US quickly replaced them with its own crew team to take over the vessel and turned the course toward the UK - an ally highly coordinated with the US in implementing sanctions. This means that the ship may be judicially seized in a UK port, and its assets could be confiscated, becoming another significant trophy in the US's campaign against the "shadow fleet."
Russia may face higher intensity confrontation risks if it continues to provide military escorts for similar vessels in the future - but so far, Moscow seems unwilling to confront Washington directly over such marginal assets.
US captures Venezuelan president
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853716396425216/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author alone.