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.