The tanker was headed to Venezuela to collect oil, putting it in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump's pressure campaign on Nicolas Maduro's government.

Crew members aboard the aging, rusted oil tanker that the US has been pursuing at sea for nearly two weeks appear to have painted a crude image of a Russian flag on the ship’s hull, which American officials believe is an attempt at claiming Russian protection,

There has been a sharp rise in shadow fleet tankers switching to the Russian flag in the past month, with at least 17 vessels having done so in recent weeks

The operation by the US Coast Guard to seize the sanctioned tanker Bella 1 became more complicated after the crew painted a Russian flag, claiming Moscow's protection, during a 10-day Atlantic pursuit.

EADaily, . The crew of the tanker Bella 1, pursued by the US Coast Guard, defended themselves with the flag of Russia. It is reported by The New York Times newspaper with reference to American officials.

Kirsty Coventry, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has said that a possible truce does not change the conditions for Russian athletes to take part in the Winter Olympics in 2026.

Even if a peace deal is reached with invaded neighbor Ukraine, Russian competitors at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will not be able to compete under their national flag, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Friday.