Reports: Russia to send more naval ships to fight piracy off African coast

Reports: Russia to send more naval ships to fight piracy off African coast

November 20, 2008 at 16:04
Moscow - The RIA Novosti news agency is quoting a top admiral as saying that Russia will send more naval vessels to the waters off Somalia to help in the fight against piracy.

It is quoting Russia's navy chief, Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky, as saying Thursday that other ships will be dispatched to the region after a warship currently deployed there leaves.

The guided-missile frigate Neustrashimy has been patrolling the waters off Somalia for several weeks now. Russian officials said it already helped in repelling two pirate attacks on Danish and Saudi ships.

The Interfax news agency on Thursday also quotes Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko as saying that Russia and the European Union have generally agreed to pool their efforts in fighting piracy.