Following the seizure of the Russian oil tanker Bella 1 by the U.S. Navy, a prominent Russian political figure, the Deputy Chairman of the Defense Committee of the Russian State Duma, Aleksei Zhuravlev, called for an immediate military response by Russia, increasing tensions in an already tense geopolitical situation.
His statements have caused serious concern, as they express Moscow’s dissatisfaction with ongoing American military interventions and the imposition of sanctions against it.
In a forceful statement, Zhuravlev demanded an immediate military response by Russia for the seizure of Bella 1, characterizing the action as “piracy” and comparing it to an attack on Russian territory, due to the Russian flag of the vessel.
“Sink the U.S. ships that took part in the operation”
He proposed a specific form of retaliation, calling on Russia to attack American ships that participated in the operation: “We must respond militarily, to attack with torpedoes and sink some American ships.”
This statement causes concern, as it suggests a serious escalation of tensions, which would have devastating consequences for international peace and security.
Zhuravlev’s proposal for torpedo attacks has been perceived as an attempt to deliver a “strike in the face” (a Russian expression meaning a harsh reprimand or punishment) to the United States, with the aim of halting the American “euphoria of impunity,” which, according to him, is evident after the events in Venezuela.
Game without rules
The well known military analyst Alexander Kots, for his part, spoke of a “game without rules” and called on the Russian leadership to respond as quickly as possible.
He requested that instructions be issued for the security of ships to military units, arming them with man portable air defense missile systems and machine guns.
“In this case, a landing on the deck would pose a serious risk for the attacker.
A skilled marksman, theoretically, would not find it difficult to hit such a static target as a helicopter before it disembarks the attackers,” said Kots.
The seizure: Piracy on the high seas
The incident concerns the takeover of the Russian oil tanker by the United States Coast Guard in the North Atlantic.
The U.S. government claims that the vessel violated the sanctions imposed on Venezuela, and that the operation was carried out pursuant to a warrant issued by a United States Federal Court.
From the perspective of the Russian authorities, however, the seizure is considered a serious violation of international law, specifically the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which protects freedom of navigation in international waters and prohibits the use of force by one state against vessels of another state.
The Russian authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and military representatives, condemned the action as an act of “piracy,” noting that such actions endanger international relations and the security of maritime routes.
Reference to Russia’s nuclear power
Despite focusing on military escalation with conventional means, Zhuravlev did not fail to refer to Russia’s strategic nuclear power, which allows the use of nuclear weapons in certain cases of attack or existential threat.
Although he did not directly call for a nuclear response, his reference to nuclear strategy has caused concern, as it suggests that Russia is ready to proceed to full escalation if the situation requires it.
The Russian military doctrine, which was updated, permits the use of nuclear weapons in cases where the territories of Russia are threatened or in response to a nuclear attack.
Although Zhuravlev did not make a direct reference to the use of nuclear weapons, his mention of nuclear strategy provides a clear indication that Russia is willing to escalate any war if deemed necessary.
Rapid escalation of tensions
Zhuravlev’s comments must be placed within the broader geopolitical context of the intensifying conflict between the United States and Russia, particularly after recent American military actions in Venezuela.
The United States has made it clear that it intends to tighten sanctions on Venezuela, something that has provoked strong reactions in Moscow, which has supported the Maduro government for years.
American actions in the Caribbean and the Atlantic, especially regarding oil tankers, are viewed by Russia as part of a broader strategy to weaken Russian influence in Latin America and dominance in global energy markets.
For Russia, these operations constitute not only an attack on the sovereignty of Venezuela, but also a direct challenge to Moscow’s influence in a critical geopolitical region.
Global security crisis?
If Russia follows Zhuravlev’s proposal for a military response, the situation could quickly escalate into a generalized war, with serious global consequences.
The United States and Russia are nuclear powers, and any military confrontation between them, even if limited to conventional forces, could trigger a dangerous escalation, leading to irreversible destruction.
Moreover, any military confrontation in the North Atlantic could easily involve other NATO countries as well, worsening the situation.
The United States is a member of NATO, and the alliance has historically taken action to protect its members, especially in maritime operations.
Thus, an attack on American military vessels could provoke an immediate response from NATO, triggering a full scale conflict.
The seizure of the Russian tanker Bella 1
It is recalled that American military personnel boarded on 7/1/2026 the Russian vessel Bella 1 while it was located between Iceland and the British Isles, a few hours before the arrival of Russian warships and submarines in the area.
The boarding by American special forces was confirmed by the command of the United States European Command (USEUCOM).
In the announcement by the United States Department of Defense, it is stated that the tanker was seized due to violation of American sanctions, following a warrant issued by a United States federal court, with the support of the vessel USCGC Munro.
“The vessel M/V Bella 1 was seized for violation of American sanctions pursuant to a warrant issued by a United States federal court, after being tracked by the American vessel USCGC Munro,” the statement says.
According to Reuters, the operation was carried out by the United States Coast Guard and their armed forces.
American and British forces used a combined air power for the success of the operation, reports Military Informer.
Specifically, support for the operation was provided by the aerial tanker KC-135T Stratotanker, the United States Air Force patrol aircraft P-8A Poseidon, and the British Poseidon MRA1.
In addition, several American special purpose aircraft participated in the area, such as the Pilatus U-28A Draco, which is used for the support of special operations and the surveillance of strategic targets.
At the same time, the newspaper The Times reported that the United States, Britain, Ireland, and France used aircraft to monitor the Russian tanker in the Atlantic Ocean.
Operation bearing the signature of the American administration
This action is part of a broader effort by the United States and its allies to impose sanctions on Russian maritime activities, particularly regarding oil exports from Russia, within the framework of the geopolitical tension caused by the war in Ukraine.
Russian vessels, such as the Mariner, are under increased scrutiny due to the West’s effort to impose stricter sanctions on Russia and to prevent their circumvention through methods such as oil transshipment or concealment of vessel ownership.
The operation in question bears the signature of the American administration, which seeks to enforce American policies and sanctions in a world that is constantly seeking alternative routes to deal with Western restrictions.
The U.S. government may refer the ship’s crew for trial regarding possible violations of federal law, as announced by the White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, at a regular briefing on Wednesday 7/1.
“I will also add that a judicial arrest warrant has been issued against the vessel and its crew, which means that the crew is now subject to criminal prosecution for any related violation of federal law and, if necessary, will be transferred to the United States for such prosecution,” clarified the Trump spokesperson.
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