Report: Russian shipment of Syria copters halted off UK

By Alastair Jamieson, msnbc.com

A ship carrying military helicopters and missiles from Russia to Syria has been effectively stopped off the coast of Scotland after its British insurers canceled the vessel’s cover, according to a report.

The MV Alaed [photo] was carrying weapons and Mi25 helicopters from the Russian port of Kaliningrad, the Daily Telegraph reported.

The vessel has been closely monitored by intelligence since Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week said such shipments were adding to the arsenal of weaponry available in Syria, which has spiraled into civil war.

Britain's Foreign Office confirmed the report, but declined to give further details. It said the vessel was being monitored but that no physical intervention had been made to prevent the ship's progress.

The ship was heading south toward the Irish Sea on its way to Syria’s Mediterranean coast, according to the most recent information available from tracking website Marine Traffic. Its next move is unclear.

The British marine insurer Standard Club said it had withdrawn cover from the ship’s owner, Femco, a Russian cargo line. 

"We were made aware of the allegations that the Alaed was carrying munitions destined for Syria," the company said in a statement. "We have already informed the ship owner that their insurance cover ceased automatically in view of the nature of the voyage."

Arms shipments from Russia to Syria are not prohibited by the United Nations because attempts to impose sanctions have been vetoed by allies of Damascus, including Moscow.

However, a European Union arms embargo outlaws the "transfer or export" of arms and any related "brokering" services such as insurance to Syria by EU members, including Britain.  More >>