There’s a good chance Moscow attempted a high-risk weapons transfer to Venezuela to gain leverage in Ukraine negotiations. The US clocked it early. Ship turned round - now it’s been seized. Massive humiliation for russia.
BREAKING: The US has seized an oil tanker with links to Russia and Venezuela, according to an official
Military Analyst @BellusUK reports
https://t.co/5MpePzQTlm
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What has unfolded in a stretch of sea between the UK and Iceland is unprecedented. Reports indicate that the US has boarded a Russian-flagged oil tanker just over 100 miles from UK waters, and the ramifications could be huge.
A cat and mouse chase lasting more than two weeks has now culminated in a showdown near British shores between Washington and Moscow that has the potential to spiral Europe’s security further into the depths...
Some thoughts from me in our @theipaper live blog. The place to be as new details emerge: https://t.co/Tm9rtKuNAr
🇬🇧 British forces are also involved in the seizure of a Russian tanker
In the area of the special operation against the Russian tanker under sanctions, the following are working:
— Stratotanker tanker,
— US Air Force Poseidon patrol aircraft,
— British Poseidon MRA1,
— several American U-28A special purpose aircraft.
Royal airforce P8 Poseidon is seen currently supporting the operation to seize the Russian tanker, likely looking for the approaching Russian submarine.
It appears there is a race to the oil tanker going on.
Following British and American anti submarine aircraft movements it appears the Russian submarine is moving around the west coast of Ireland heading north towards the sanctioned oil tanker.