A Venezuela-linked oil tanker operating in the so-called "dark fleet" painted a Russian flag on its hull, changed its name, and reflagged to Russia in an apparent bid to evade the U.S. Coast Guard, according to reports.
The vessel has since been spotted off Ireland, with the U.S., U.K., France and Ireland reportedly conducting aerial surveillance after it escaped U.S. interception in December, The Times reported.
The tanker, Bella 1, had renamed itself Marinera and registered under the Russian flag after fleeing the region, according to an intelligence report from AI maritime analytics firm Windward.
"Runaway Venezuela-trading tanker Bella 1 painted a Russian flag on its hull, changed its name, and reflagged to Russia mid-voyage last week to avoid capture by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Atlantic Ocean," Windward said.
Multiple reports said Tuesday the vessel is now under U.S. military surveillance roughly 230 miles off the Irish coast.
According to reports, U.S. P-8 surveillance aircraft have tracked the tanker off Ireland only in recent days.
Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges and said he was a "prisoner of war."
On Jan. 1, Russia had formally asked the U.S. to stop its pursuit of the vessel, according to Reuters.
Citing two people familiar with the matter, Reuters reported that Moscow made the diplomatic request as U.S. forces continued tracking the vessel for nearly two weeks in the Atlantic.
The request came as Trump simultaneously sought to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, Reuters added.
Windward also identified two additional Western-sanctioned tankers currently in Venezuelan waters that have reflagged to Russia in recent days to prevent U.S. naval interception.
The tanker Hyperion departed Venezuela on Jan. 1 flying the Russian flag, while Premier signaled via AIS that it changed its flag from Gambia to Russia on Dec. 22.
"Premier remains at the José Terminal in Venezuela," Windward said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard and the White House for comment.