Russian warships end anti-piracy mission in Gulf of Aden

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian Navy’s Udaloy-class destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov has completed an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden and set course for its Vladivostok base, where it should arrive in April, Fleet spokesman Capt. First Rank Roman Martov said on Monday, March 4, according to RIA Novosti.

The destroyer was part of a Pacific Fleet task force, which also included the tanker Irkut and the rescue tug boat Alatau. The ships made an official visit to the port of Mumbai in India in late December and conducted joint drills with the Indian navy on the way to the Gulf of Aden, Martov said.

Russian naval task forces, usually led by Udaloy-class destroyers, operate in the area on a rotating basis.

The Russian Navy said in November it will continue its anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa in 2013, with at least three tours of duty in the region scheduled.

Russia joined the international anti-piracy mission in the region in 2008. Russian warships have successfully escorted 733 commercial vessels from various countries through the pirate-infested waters off the Somali coast since then.