New Delhi, Jan. 9 -- Russian Foreign Ministry warns Washington's military action against a civilian tanker risks triggering a major international maritime crisis.

MOSCOW - Russia has raised grave concerns over what it described as the illegal use of military force by the United States against a civilian oil tanker on the high seas, warning that the incident represents a serious violation of international maritime law and a dangerous escalation that risks provoking a broader international crisis.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Washington's actions against the Marinera oil tanker amounted to an unlawful seizure of a civilian vessel and the detention of its crew, despite repeated notifications to US ...