Two Russian citizens aboard captured oil tanker released by US, Russia claims

Two Russian citizens who were aboard the oil tanker seized by US special forces on Wednesday have been released, Russia has claimed.

American troops boarded the Marinera - originally known as the Bella 1 - between Iceland and Scotland as it headed towards Russia.

The operation came after US military struck Venezuela and removed Nicolas Maduro from power and brought him to New York for trial.

Now Russia's foreign ministry is claiming that Russian crew members who were detained in the raid on the ship have been released.

Also on Friday, President Donald Trump said he has "cancelled" what he claimed was "the previously expected second wave of attacks" on Venezuela, following the release of large numbers of political prisoners in Venezuela.

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said: "In response to our appeal, US President Donald Trump decided to release two Russian citizens from the crew of the tanker Marinera, who had been detained by the American side during an operation in the North Atlantic.

"We welcome this decision and express our gratitude to the US leadership.

"We are now urgently working on all practical issues related to ensuring the speedy return of our compatriots to their homeland."

The US has not commented on Russia's claim.

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American forces had been pursuing the Marinera for two weeks since it slipped through a "blockade" around Venezuela.

It was sanctioned in 2024 for allegedly smuggling cargo for a company linked to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The US Coast Guard tried to intercept it last month but it refused to be boarded.

The ship was sailing under a Guyana flag when it left the Caribbean but re-registered under a Russian flag.

(c) Sky News 2026: Two Russian citizens aboard captured oil tanker released by US, Russia claims