[Goose]

Apparently, Russia dispatched a sub to the tanker.  Glad we didn’t blink.

BC

Glad we didn't blink as well. https://news.usni.org/2026/01/07/coast-g...-caribbean

Initially flagged as a Guyanese ship, Bella I changed its registration to Russia and began heading for the North Atlantic. The ship was renamed Marinera while underway and picked up a Russian Navy escort that included at least one attack submarine, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
“The U.S. doesn’t view the Russian flag as authentic. I don’t think they buy the registry,” Mercogliano said. “It shows the Russians can’t do a damn thing about it. Submarines aren’t good for escorting ships.”

Mr. Mercogliano is definitely correct. The US has officially declared the ship to be "stateless" and is bringing it back to the US for legal proceedings.
 
How anyone would know a submarine was "escorting" a ship is a mystery. Submarines are designed to be "undetectable". I wonder why the WSJ claims such an escort actually existed. Even if the Russians announced it did, how does one know? Certainly the Legend class USCGC Munro (WMSL-755) didn't know. It has exactly zero ASW capability. Of course, this vessel is the model for our latest "new" Frigate. The "other naval assets" Russia supposedly sent shared the undetectable attribute. Frankly I am surprised they didn't sortie several TU-95s to "observe" the tanker and harass the Munro by making (legal) identification passes every so often. Nothing more than an annoyance, but it would have at least made people aware Russia cared at all. If Russia was actually serious it could have dispatched some small combatants to meet the tanker in the Atlantic as far west as physically possible. These ships would have been a very visible indication Russia cared about this whole deal, and they could certainly harass the Munro quite effectively. Didn't happen.

[Goose]

Apparently, Russia dispatched a sub to the tanker.  Glad we didn’t blink.

BC

Glad we didn't blink as well. https://news.usni.org/2026/01/07/coast-g...-caribbean

Initially flagged as a Guyanese ship, Bella I changed its registration to Russia and began heading for the North Atlantic. The ship was renamed Marinera while underway and picked up a Russian Navy escort that included at least one attack submarine, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
“The U.S. doesn’t view the Russian flag as authentic. I don’t think they buy the registry,” Mercogliano said. “It shows the Russians can’t do a damn thing about it. Submarines aren’t good for escorting ships.”

Mr. Mercogliano is definitely correct. The US has officially declared the ship to be "stateless" and is bringing it back to the US for legal proceedings.
 
How anyone would know a submarine was "escorting" a ship is a mystery. Submarines are designed to be "undetectable". I wonder why the WSJ claims such an escort actually existed. Even if the Russians announced it did, how does one know? Certainly the Legend class USCGC Munro (WMSL-755) didn't know. It has exactly zero ASW capability. Of course, this vessel is the model for our latest "new" Frigate. The "other naval assets" Russia supposedly sent shared the undetectable attribute. Frankly I am surprised they didn't sortie several TU-95s to "observe" the tanker and harass the Munro by making (legal) identification passes every so often. Nothing more than an annoyance, but it would have at least made people aware Russia cared at all. If Russia was actually serious it could have dispatched some small combatants to meet the tanker in the Atlantic as far west as physically possible. These ships would have been a very visible indication Russia cared about this whole deal, and they could certainly harass the Munro quite effectively. Didn't happen.