Rusland trekt zich niets van het Westen aan

The vessel, sailing under the flag of the Caribbean island of Curacao, returned to Murmansk after its insurance cover was withdrawn at the behest of the Government. Russia said it feared that British forces would attempt to storm the ship, a step David Cameron is said to have contemplated.

Throwing down an unmistakable challenge to the Prime Minister, Moscow said the Alaed would sail again, this time under a Russian flag - meaning that any attempt to board it could trigger an international incident. It will also be accompanied by at least one other vessel, although not a military one.