MOSCOW, September 3 (RIA Novosti) - The...

The Maltese-flagged vessel was discovered off Cape Verde in the Atlantic on August 16 by Russia"s Ladny warship. It is being towed to Novorossiisk, and is due to arrive in the Russian Black Sea port in late September.

"The Arctic Sea vessel is currently in the Atlantic and is preparing to enter the Mediterranean Sea," the source said, adding that the vessel is not expected to enter any foreign ports on its way to Novorossiisk.

Russia"s Defense Ministry declined to comment on the information.

Four crew members remain on board, while the other 11 were flown to Moscow last month to be questioned by the Russian authorities amid speculation that they may have been in cahoots with the alleged hijackers. They have reportedly now returned home to the northern Russian city of Arkhangelsk.

Eight men, including citizens of Russia, Latvia and Estonia, have been arrested and charged with piracy and kidnapping.

Malta, Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Latvia have

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