Russia confirms cargo ship carrying helicopters for Syria

MOSCOW - Agence France-Presse

A Russian ship stopped in British waters for allegedly carrying attack helicopters and missiles for Syria 'appears to be on its way back towards Russia,' Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague said 19 June 2012. EPA Photo

Russia confirmed today for the first time that a cargo ship forced to turn back from British waters was carrying attack helicopters for Syria and said it would now sail under the Russian flag.
 
"The ship Alaed sailed on June 11 with a cargo including Mi-25 helicopters which are the property of the Syrian side," said foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich, adding it would return to the port of Murmansk on June 23 to sail under the Russian flag rather than that of the Caribbean island of Curacao.