Russia sends in navy as US ‘tries to board’ banned oil tanker

The US Coast Guard, Russia, and NATO are tracking the ship.

The Marinera is one ship amongst a Venezuelan 'shadow fleet' of tankers currently in breach of US and international sanctions.

The ship, which is currently empty of oil, renamed itself from the Bella 1 and painted a Russian flag on its side, seemingly in an attempt to seek Russian protection.

The ship is on course to pass the UK between Scotland and Iceland as it moves towards Russia.

The tanker is being tracked by British military aircraft and other Nato forces.

A US official has told the Wall Street Journal that Russia have sent a submarine and other naval vessels to accompany the ship on its journey and have asked the US to stop pursuing it.

The Russian foreign ministry say they are monitoring the situation with 'concern'.

They say the tanker is 'being given increased and clearly disproportionate attention by the US and Nato'.

Russia have also said that the US are preparing to board the ship.

On Saturday, US forces entered Venezuela and captured its now-deposed president, Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro is currently in New York facing drug charges.

The US Coast Guard are continuing to follow the Marinera into the Eastern Atlantic where it is currently sailing about 300 miles south of Iceland towards the North Sea.