The Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service has confirmed that military equipment shipped by the Faina, a Ukrainian vessel recently freed by Somali pirates, is destined for Kenya.

"The cargo on board the ship was transported under a contract between Ukrspetsexport and the Defense Ministry of Kenya," the service's head, Mykola Malomuzh, said at a briefing on Thursday.

He said that service officers got into contact with the Kenyan Defense Ministry, the country's general staff and army officials and received full confirmation that the cargo was destined for Kenya.