Russian ship with Syrian choppers heads South

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MOSCOW, July 13 (UPI) -- The owner of a Russian cargo vessel carrying three Syrian helicopters said Friday the Alaed is headed to the Baltic.

The ship, which is based in Murmansk, was sailing south along the Norwegian coast Thursday, The Daily Telegraph reported. Its owner, Femco, said it is scheduled to arrive in Baltiysk on Tuesday and in St. Petersburg on Thursday.

The Alaed was en route to Syria last month with the MI-25 gunships when it was forced to turn back because its insurance was canceled by British insurer Standard Club.

The United States accused Russia in June of supplying Syria with helicopters that could be used against civilian protesters. Rosobornexport, the Russian state-owned arms company, said the three gunships had been sent to Russia for repairs and were being returned as the contract required, RIA Novosti reported.