Sixteen Ukrainian sailors from the detained tanker "Marinera" have been released by US authorities but are refusing to return to their home country.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing the Ukrainian publication "Suspilne," that the crew members expressed deep concerns regarding potential legal prosecution and treason charges upon their return to Ukraine. Out of the 17 Ukrainian crew members originally aboard the vessel, which is linked to the so-called "shadow fleet," only the chief officer remains in custody.
The crew, primarily residents of Odessa and Kherson along with one individual from Kyiv, stated that they were misled during the recruitment process. According to the sailors, they were assured that the vessel had no ties to Russia and was not subject to international sanctions. Furthermore, they claimed that the initial voyage plan did not include a route to Venezuela. Following the vessel's detention by the United States, five of the sailors provided testimony to the FBI, while the others were released after being provided with tickets to destinations of their choice.
The detention of vessels associated with the "shadow fleet" has become a focal point of international maritime security as Western nations, led by the United States, intensify efforts to enforce sanctions. These fleets are often used to bypass oil price caps and trade restrictions imposed following geopolitical conflicts. For Ukrainian seafarers, employment on such vessels has increasingly led to complex legal dilemmas, as domestic authorities in Ukraine have tightened scrutiny over citizens suspected of participating in maritime operations that could be perceived as aiding sanctioned entities.
