Zakharova emphasized that the Russian side welcomes this decision and expresses gratitude to the American authorities.
She added: "We are starting active work on issues related to their swift return to their homeland."
It is worth noting that on January 7, two oil tankers, "Marinera" and "Sofia," were detained in the North Atlantic. These actions were related to the American side's assumption that the vessels were involved in circumventing sanctions and transporting Venezuelan oil.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen, stated that both tankers were either in Venezuela or heading there.
On board the tanker "Marinera" were two Russians, 20 Ukrainians, and six citizens of Georgia, including the captain.
As noted by White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, the crew of the tanker will be brought to justice in the U.S. She added that the court order for the detention of the vessel also applies to its crew, which implies the possibility of their transfer to the U.S. for legal proceedings.
In turn, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the tanker was lawfully sailing under the Russian flag and was making a peaceful passage in international waters, heading to one of the ports in Russia. The ministry also emphasized that the American side had been officially notified of the vessel's Russian registration.
Photo on the main page: gazeta.ru.
