BF task unit to return home on Apr 20

19.04.2010 Baltic Fleet (BF) task unit consisting of frigates Yaroslav Mudry, Neustrashimy, and tanker Olekma having performed training tasks in the Atlantic will return to BF main base Baltiysk on Apr 20.

As reported by Navy Information Support Department, the ships had united in the Mediterranean after frigate Neustrashimy had completed her anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden and frigate Yaroslav Mudry had carry out her first long-range cruise. By estimate of Navy command, the crews had successfully performed all assigned tasks having displayed high skills and qualification.

Pacific Fleet task unit continues to counter piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off Horn of Africa. Large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov is presently escorting convoy of four civil ships. Auxiliary ships MB-37 and Pechenga called at port of Salalah (Oman).

It is worthwhile to add that some international organizations sent official warning messages to sea-going vessels about increase in pirates' activity near Horn of Africa. Growth of pirate attacks is connected with finishing of northeast monsoons. By the way, sea robbers have become more active at distances over 1,000 nm off Somalia.

For instance, S Korean vessel Samho Dream carrying 2 mln bbl of crude oil was hijacked at 1,560 km off Somalia. The ship sailed from Iraq to the Gulf of Mexico, USA. The crew of five S Koreans and 19 Filipinos was taken hostages.

Nowadays, pirates assault civil vessels nearly every day. Among recent examples is capture of merchant ship Rak Afrikana with over 20 crewmen on board. The vessel belongs to a company registered in Seychelles. Another victim of piracy is bulker YASIN C with 25-man crew headed for Kenyan port Mombasa.

Sea reavers are sometimes very cruel; they use assault rifles and light AT grenade launchers. In particular, such attack was applied against N Korean vessel off Kenya. The crew managed to get off and proceed to destination port, although 9 crewmen were wounded.

Apart from Russian warships, somewhat ten countries are presently involved in anti-piracy operation. They not only escort convoys but conduct crew release operations sometimes. Example, Dutch frigate Tromp Lynx recently freed German-flagged merchant vessel Taipan which had been hijacked 500 nm off Somalia. Dutch marines rappelled from a helicopter on board captured vessel. Consequently, nobody suffered and ten pirates were arrested.