A Russian warship has seized a vessel carrying 29 suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia, RIA Novosti and other agencies are reporting, citing the nation's Defense Ministry. A Russian anti-submarine vessel seized the ship yesterday along with automatic rifles, pistols, and ammunition found on board.
The reports say a Russian tanker fended off an attack by the same group earlier yesterday. Russia and other nations patrol the region as part of an international effort to deter pirate hijackings in the busy shipping lane off the Somali coast. (More Russian Navy stories.)