MOSCOW: Even as the fate of most other crew, including three Indians, remains unclear, Russia on Friday said it welcomed US’ decision to release two of its nationals on board an oil tanker seized by the American forces.
Russian-flagged Marinera tanker, previously known as Bella 1, was seized on Wednesday by the US Coast Guard in the North Atlantic. It had 17 Ukrainian citizens, six Georgians, three Indian citizens and two Russians.
“In response to our request, US President Donald Trump has decided to release two Russian citizens from the crew of the tanker Mariner, previously detained by the US during an operation in the North Atlantic,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a statement.