U.S. boarded Russian vessel

The Russian Ministry of Transport reported that the US Armed Forces boarded the oil tanker 'Marinera,' which had received temporary permission to sail under the Russian flag on December 24, 2025. According to the Ministry of Transport, this incident violates the norms of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The permission was granted based on Russian legislation and international standards. The Ministry emphasized that the boarding violates international obligations and raises questions about subsequent liability. International maritime law establishes rules for ship registration and monitoring their status; the UN publishes the UNCLOS convention regulating issues of flags and sea routes.

Context

International maritime law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), regulates issues concerning ship flags and their legal statuses.