KIEV, February 3 (RIA Novosti) - Ukraine's Foreign
Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that eight Ukrainian crewmembers
on board a Turkish-owned ship, captured in the Gulf of Aden on
December 16, have been released.
The Antigua-flagged Bosphorus Prodigy, a cargo vessel
built in 1985, with eight Ukrainian and three Turkish nationals
on board, was captured by Somali pirates.
"According to statements made by representatives of the
Isko Marine Shipping [Company], the vessel is currently on
route to the nearest port," the ministry said.
Pirates have been increasingly active in the waters off
East Africa, where over 120 ships were attacked last year, with
around 40 vessels, including 600 crew members, seized. Somalia
has been without a functioning government since 1991.
Up to 20 warships from the navies of at least 10
countries, including Russia, are involved in anti-piracy
operations in the area.
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