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The recent interception of a Russian-flagged tanker, the Marinera, in the North Atlantic has prompted strong responses from political figures in Scotland and the UK. The vessel, alleged to be part of what is described as Vladimir Putin’s “shadow fleet,” was seized by the US Coast Guard several hundred miles off the Scottish coast. The operation reportedly involved military aircraft landing at both Benbecula Airport in the Western Isles and Wick John O’Groats Airport in the Scottish Highlands. This mission was conducted with the support of British military forces, although the Scottish government was not informed in advance.
First Minister John Swinney expressed his support for the enforcement of sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine but stated that he was not briefed on the specifics of the tanker’s capture. Speaking after First Minister’s Questions, Swinney emphasized that military actions in the UK are controlled by the Westminster government and maintained his backing for measures aimed at enforcing sanctions designed to counter illegal behavior by states such as Russia. He said: “If this is a measure to enforce agreed sanctions that were being circumvented by the use of this tanker, then I support that action.” At the same time, he noted that he had no concrete information linking the aircraft landings in Scotland directly to the seizure itself.
According to the White House, the Marinera had been attempting to evade the US Coast Guard for weeks and was accused of violating sanctions on Iranian oil. The US government’s action to seize the tanker was authorized by an American court. The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that the ship was en route to Russia and supported the seizure as an effort to counter illicit “sanction busting,” asserting that it was conducted in accordance with international law. Royal Navy and RAF assets, including the tanker RFA Tideforce and surveillance aircraft, assisted the US in the operation. Another tanker, the Sophia, was also boarded near the Caribbean around the same time, with both vessels reportedly having ties to Venezuela.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander described the seized ship as a “stateless vessel” under international law and linked it to the shadow fleet that funds Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. He affirmed the UK government’s readiness to collaborate with allies, stating, “I think it is right and reasonable we work with our allies to confront the attempt to sanction bust that we are witnessing from the Russians on a regular basis.” However, the Scottish Greens criticized the US for what they termed “piracy at sea,” with former co-leader Patrick Harvie suggesting that the seizure was driven more by self-interest than a genuine commitment to international law. Meanwhile, local perspectives saw the Western Isles and northern Scottish coastlines as unexpectedly becoming frontline areas in the geopolitical struggle against Russia’s activities related to Ukraine
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