Update — Jan. 7, 10:10 p.m. ET:

The Russian research ship stuck in the ice in Antarctica for two weeks has finally broken free, officials confirmed Wednesday.

The Chinese icebreaker that went to the aid of the 52 passengers stuck aboard the stranded Akademik Shokalskiy in Antarctica was freed from the frozen ice hours earlier.

The Chinese ship provided the helicopter used to rescue the stranded passengers and airlift them to safety aboard the icebreaker Aurora Australis. The Aurora is now carrying the crew to the Australian island state Tasmania.

Despite the Chinese vessel becoming stuck in the heavy ice, the Aurora resumed its journey home Saturday after initially being told to stay in the area in case the ship needed additional help.

"The Master of Xue Long has confirmed to AMSA that the ship is safe, it is not in distress and does not require assistance at this time," Australian officials said. "There is no immediate danger to personnel on board the Xue Long. The Xue Long has advised AMSA it has food supplies for several weeks."