Russia announced on Friday, January 9th, that the United States had decided to release two Russian crew members from the Marinera, a Russian-flagged oil tanker that Washington seized earlier this week. The seizure took place in the North Atlantic, and the operation was carried out jointly by the Coast Guard and the U.S. military. The vessel had earlier evaded U.S. maritime controls in the Caribbean and refused multiple boarding attempts by the U.S. Coast Guard.

“In response to our request, U.S. president Donald Trump has decided to release two Russian citizens aboard the Marinera tanker, previously detained by the United States during an operation in the North Atlantic,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement. She added, “We welcome this decision and express our gratitude to the U.S. leadership.” 

Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev further stated on Telegram that Trump had decided to release “all Russians” on board the tanker.

The United States had previously indicated that crew members could face prosecution, a possibility Russia called “categorically unacceptable.” Moscow condemned the seizure as illegal, with the Russian foreign ministry warning that Washington’s actions “will only result in further military and political tensions.”