As reported by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, the decision to release the Russian citizens was made in response to a request from the Russian side.
“We express our gratitude to the American government for this decision and are starting active work to organize the swift return of our compatriots to their homeland,” Zakharova added.
It is worth noting that on January 7, American special services boarded the tanker Marinera, despite the presence of Russian military ships and a submarine nearby. Thus, the U.S. Coast Guard effectively seized the vessel.
The European Command of the U.S. Armed Forces confirmed that the seizure of the tanker occurred due to violations of sanctions regimes.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth explained that the detention of the vessel, registered under the Russian flag, was related to the blockade of Venezuelan oil transportation.
It should also be mentioned that the operation to seize the Russian tanker off the coast of Iceland involved the United Kingdom, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defense of that country.
The Russian Ministry of Transport reported that the tanker Marinera had a temporary permit to use the Russian flag.
Furthermore, Russia insisted on humane treatment for the Russian citizens on board the tanker Marinera.
