MOSCOW, February 9 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian
Pacific Fleet's Admiral Vinogradov destroyer and India's Tabar
missile frigate have practiced joint anti-piracy operations off
the Somali coast, the Russian Navy spokesman said on Monday.
Admiral Vinogradov, an Udaloy class destroyer, replaced
the Baltic Fleet's Neustrashimy frigate in the Gulf of Aden in
January, and is now escorting civilian vessels through areas
where Somali pirates are active.
"The Russian destroyer and the Indian missile frigate have
accomplished a number of tasks escorting commercial ships in
the Gulf of Aden in areas threatened by pirate attacks," Capt.
1st Rank Igor Dygalo said, adding that the vessels also
conducted communications drills and joint maneuvering.
Dygalo said Russian combat ships could participate in
long-term joint anti-piracy operations with warships from other
countries on patrol off the lawless East African state.
Around 20 warships from the navies of at least 10
countries, including Russia, are involved in anti-piracy
operations off Somalia. According to the UN, Somali pirates
carried out at least 120 attacks on ships in 2008, resulting in
ransoms of around $150 million.
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