Russia confirms for the first time the transfer of 3 helicopters to Syria

Russia on June 21 confirmed for the first time that a cargo ship that was forced to return from British waters was carrying combat helicopters to Syria, and said the ship would soon set sail under the Russian flag.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said the ship, which had to return to Russia after its British insurance company canceled its contract, would dock in the Russian port of Murmansk on June 23 to sail under the Russian flag instead of the flag of the Caribbean island of Curacao.

Russian Mi-25 helicopter

"The Alaed set sail on June 11, carrying Mi-25 helicopters that are Syrian property... While sailing from the North Sea into the Atlantic, the shipowner was informed that the ship's insurance had expired. To avoid the possibility of the ship being detained, we decided to dock the ship in Murmansk and from there it will set sail again and fly the Russian flag," Lukashevich said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also confirmed that the Alaed was carrying "three (Russian) repaired helicopters" for Syria. According to Lavrov, in addition to helicopters, the Alaed was also carrying air defense equipment, but refused to provide details.

Also related to the situation in Syria, Interfax news agency quoted Mr. Lavrov as saying that any peace plan for Syria, which calls on President Bashar al-Assad to give up power and live in exile, is not feasible because Mr. Assad will not give up./.

According to (Vietnam+) - DT