US intercepts another Russian shadow fleet tanker
Feb 9 2026
"US forces in the Indian Ocean have detained the tanker Aquila II for violating the sanctions regime introduced by the administration of US President Donald Trump.
US Department of War stated on X that overnight, the US Armed Forces conducted an inspection, maritime blockade and boarding of the vessel Aquila II without incident.
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported that the tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products from Russian ports in the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Pacific region, including through deceptive practices.
The tanker is considered part of the Russian shadow fleet and is affiliated with Sunne Co Ltd, which the United States sanctioned on 10 January 2025 for activity in Russia's energy sector.
This is another detention in a series of similar actions that took place at the beginning of the year.
On 9 January, the United States seized the tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea amid Washington's intensified efforts to restrict exports of Venezuelan oil.
On 7 January. US forces took control of two tankers, including the Russian-flagged vessel Bella 1 (Marinera), which they had pursued for more than two weeks.
At the end of January, a group of 14 European countries issued a public warning to tankers belonging to Russia's shadow fleet operating in the Baltic and North seas." Source
Vid:
"US military forces boarded a sanctioned tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking the ship from the Caribbean Sea as part of an oil quarantine meant to squeeze Venezuela, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Monday.
The Trump administration has seized seven tankers as part of its broader efforts to take control of the South American country’s oil. Unlike those previous actions, the Aquila II has not been formally seized and placed under US control, a defence official said.
Instead, the ship is being held while its ultimate fate is decided by the US, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing decision-making.
The Aquila II is a Panamanian-flagged tanker under US sanctions related to the shipment of illicit Russian oil. Owned by a company with a listed address in Hong Kong, ship-tracking data show it has spent much of the past year with its radio transponder turned off, a practice known as “running dark” commonly employed by smugglers to hide their location.
A Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations, would not say what forces were used in the operation but confirmed the destroyers USS Pinckney and USS John Finn, as well as the mobile base ship USS Miguel Keith, were operating in the Indian Ocean.
In videos the Pentagon posted to social media, uniformed forces can be seen boarding a Navy helicopter that takes off from a ship matching the profile of the Miguel Keith. Video and photos of the tanker shot from inside a helicopter also show a Navy destroyer sailing alongside the ship." Source
1. The tanker Aquila II.
Feb 9 2026
"US forces in the Indian Ocean have detained the tanker Aquila II for violating the sanctions regime introduced by the administration of US President Donald Trump.
US Department of War stated on X that overnight, the US Armed Forces conducted an inspection, maritime blockade and boarding of the vessel Aquila II without incident.
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported that the tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products from Russian ports in the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Pacific region, including through deceptive practices.
The tanker is considered part of the Russian shadow fleet and is affiliated with Sunne Co Ltd, which the United States sanctioned on 10 January 2025 for activity in Russia's energy sector.
This is another detention in a series of similar actions that took place at the beginning of the year.
On 9 January, the United States seized the tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea amid Washington's intensified efforts to restrict exports of Venezuelan oil.
On 7 January. US forces took control of two tankers, including the Russian-flagged vessel Bella 1 (Marinera), which they had pursued for more than two weeks.
At the end of January, a group of 14 European countries issued a public warning to tankers belonging to Russia's shadow fleet operating in the Baltic and North seas." Source
Vid:
"US military forces boarded a sanctioned tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking the ship from the Caribbean Sea as part of an oil quarantine meant to squeeze Venezuela, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Monday.
The Trump administration has seized seven tankers as part of its broader efforts to take control of the South American country’s oil. Unlike those previous actions, the Aquila II has not been formally seized and placed under US control, a defence official said.
Instead, the ship is being held while its ultimate fate is decided by the US, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing decision-making.
The Aquila II is a Panamanian-flagged tanker under US sanctions related to the shipment of illicit Russian oil. Owned by a company with a listed address in Hong Kong, ship-tracking data show it has spent much of the past year with its radio transponder turned off, a practice known as “running dark” commonly employed by smugglers to hide their location.
A Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations, would not say what forces were used in the operation but confirmed the destroyers USS Pinckney and USS John Finn, as well as the mobile base ship USS Miguel Keith, were operating in the Indian Ocean.
In videos the Pentagon posted to social media, uniformed forces can be seen boarding a Navy helicopter that takes off from a ship matching the profile of the Miguel Keith. Video and photos of the tanker shot from inside a helicopter also show a Navy destroyer sailing alongside the ship." Source
1. The tanker Aquila II.
