Warship to escort freighter off Somalia

MOSCOW, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- A Russian warship is providing protection for a Danish vessel carrying a Russian crew through pirate-infested waters off Somalia, officials said.

The frigate Neustrashimy (Fearless) has been assigned the task of escorting the CAN Commander through the Gulf of Aden, Russian Navy officials told RIA Novosti Tuesday.

Capt. 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said the CAN Commander's crew include 15 Russian seamen.

Somali pirates have attacked some 60 ships so far this year, resulting in the seizure of about half the vessels, RIA Novosti said. The Russian ship is entering the Gulf of Aden under a U.N. Security Council resolution permitting countries to enter Somalia's territorial waters to combat "acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea."