Insurer drops Russian ship's coverage after Clinton's helicopter accusations

By Julian Pecquet - 06/18/12 11:23 AM ET

A U.K. marine insurer has dropped coverage for a Russian vessel believed to be carrying attack helicopters and munitions to Syria, CNN is reporting.

The Standard Club has stopped coverage for Russian operator Femco's cargo ship, MV Alaed, following Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's allegations that Russia is providing helicopters to the government of Bashar al-Assad. Russia says the helicopters were part of an earlier order and were merely being refurbished in Russia.

Separately, The Associated Press is reporting that Russian marines are preparing to set sail for Syria in what would be the largest deployment of Russian troops to date. The two amphibious landing vessels can each carry 300 Marines and a dozen tanks, according to AP, and are being sent to protect Russian citizens and equipment at the Russian naval base at Tartus, on the Mediterranean.

The reports come as President Obama is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Group of 20 summit in Mexico on Monday. Russia's continued help for Assad is a main point of contention between the two leaders and is expected to feature prominently in their discussion, the first face-to-face meeting since Putin regained the presidency in March.