Russian warship to fight-off Somali pirates

Moscow, Oct 14: A missile frigate of Russia's Baltic Fleet is ready to fight pirates off the Somali coast together with warships from other countries. ''When the Neustrashimy (Fearless) arrives in the region, it will, in conjunction with warships from other states, work to minimise the threat of pirate attacks,'' Russian Navy's spokesman Capt 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said on Tuesday, Oct 14. ''The missile frigate was currently heading to Somalia from the Mediterranean,'' RIA Novosti news agency quoted Capt Dygalo as saying.

Russian Navy earlier said that the Neustrashimy would ensure the safety of Russian vessels passing through the area against pirate attacks.

Last week, Somali Ambassador to Russia Mohamed Handule said Somali President, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, had authorised Russia's military to fight pirates both off Somalia's coast and on land.

Pirates are increasingly active in the waters off Somalia, which has no effective government and no navy to police its coastline.

The International Maritime Bureau said more than 30 incidents of sea piracy were registered in the region in 2007. More than 30 attacks have been committed so far this year off the coast of the east African nation.

Somali pirates recently hijacked a Ukrainian ship, MV Faina, carrying at least 33 tanks and other heavy weaponry. Six US warships are currently surrounding the Faina.

UNI