Russian submarine intervenes after failed US Coast Guard bid to board tanker near Venezuela – report
A US official has suggested that Russia sent a submarine and other naval assets to escort an empty oil tanker, which has been attempting to evade US sanctions near Venezuela for more than two weeks.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the tanker failed to dock, and despite not being loaded with oil, the US Coast Guard has chased it into the Atlantic.
The Coast Guard is cracking down on a fleet of tankers that transport illegal oil around the world, including black-market oil sold by Russia, according to the US.
The WSJ report suggests the tanker’s crew fended off an effort by the Coast Guard to board in December.
With the US in pursuit, the crew is said to have painted a Russian flag on its side, changed its name, and changed its registration to Russia.Â
We’ll bring you more on the report as we get it.