On the one hand, I've not seen any concrete evidence that suggests that this particular vessel has transported Russian oil in the past, and as the article says the flag was "painted on".
On the other hand, Russian media did confirm that a sub and other unspecified battleships were sent to assist it.
> Originally called the Bella 1, the tanker was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for operating within a “shadow fleet” of tankers transporting illicit oil.
> The US Coast Guard had tried to seize the tanker last month when it was near Venezuela, but US forces were unable to board it after the ship turned around and fled.
> At some point while being pursued, the crew of the tanker painted a Russian flag on its hull, claiming it was sailing under Russian protection.
The Russian shadow fleet is well known for flying a false flag so it makes it a bit ironic when a ship of that suddenly claim to be Russian when it want others to treat it as being Russian.
tencentshill•1mo ago