Russia sends submarine to escort tanker being pursued by US

Russia has sent a submarine and possibly other ships to escort an oil tanker being pursued in the US Atlantic Ocean.

The The Wall Street Journal reports, citing a US official.

According to the Vessel Identification System (AIS), the Marinera (formerly Bella 1) is now about 300 miles south of Iceland.

According to CBS News, the US is planning to intercept the tanker. The channel notes that it remains unclear whether the US Coast Guard’s plans have changed after the Russian Navy was sent to escort the tanker.

Earlier, USM reported that the Marinera tanker, which the US has been pursuing off the coast of Venezuela for more than a week, has changed its name and flag to Russian and is taking a northern route.