U.S. special operators prepare to seize Russian-flagged tanker

Video footage published on Facebook shows United States Air Force CV-22B Osprey aircraft from the 7th Special Operations Squadron conducting fast-rope and rescue training at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom.

The aircraft, stationed at RAF Mildenhall, carried out the drills using standard special-operations procedures.

According to OSINTdefender, the training activity involved fast-rope insertion teams and ground personnel working around the CV-22Bs, with the footage captured from multiple vantage points on the airfield. The platform is used by Air Force Special Operations Command for infiltration, extraction, and precision rescue missions.

The outlet reported that the drills took place as the sanctioned crude oil tanker Marinera continues moving through the North Atlantic. The vessel, previously known as Bella 1, has evaded the U.S. Coast Guard for 17 days since leaving waters near Venezuela and was most recently spotted northwest of Ireland. OSINTdefender stated that the Osprey activity “possibly” preceded a future boarding operation, based on the nature of the training and the tanker’s current location.

Russian state media and The Wall Street Journal reported that Russia deployed a submarine and other naval units into the North Atlantic to meet the tanker and provide protection from a potential U.S. interdiction attempt. No official U.S. statement has been released regarding the tanker’s status, its interception, or any planned operation linked to the current training.

Background information posted by OSINTdefender notes that RAF Mildenhall-based CV-22Bs have previously carried out similar training before counter-maritime and hostage-recovery operations, though no connection has been confirmed by U.S. authorities in this case.

The tanker Marinera has drawn international attention due to its Iranian links, Russian flagging, and continued refusal to comply with U.S. sanctions enforcement efforts. The vessel has moved from the Caribbean toward waters near Iceland and the United Kingdom while tracked by open-source observers.