Two Russian sailors from a tanker seized by the US have been released and are heading home, though the fate of the remaining crew remains unclear.
MOSCOW: Two Russian crew members from a tanker seized by the United States have been released and are on their way home.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed the development to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency.
The US seized the Russian-flagged tanker earlier this month in the North Atlantic.
Authorities alleged it was part of a shadow fleet carrying oil from sanctioned countries like Venezuela, Russia and Iran.
Washington had publicly stated the Marinera’s crew could face prosecution.
Russia called that prospect “categorically unacceptable” and accused the US of threatening international shipping.
The fate of the rest of the crew aboard the seized vessel remains unclear.
Russia had announced the US decision to release the two sailors earlier this month.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last week the decision had not yet been implemented.
The US seized the tanker after chasing it from near the Venezuelan coast.
The vessel was being escorted by the Russian navy at the time.
It had been re-flagged and renamed under Russian jurisdiction in a bid to deter US seizure.
This was part of Washington’s broader campaign against Venezuela.
