Russia sends warship to Somali coast

MOSCOW, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A Russian warship is joining an international anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia, officials said.

The Russian Pacific Fleet anti-submarine destroyer Admiral Tributs left the port of Vladivostok Saturday and is bound for the Gulf of Aden, RIA Novosti reported.

Russian warships have escorted more than 120 commercial ships through pirate-infested waters off the coast of Somalia since 2008, when Russia joined the international effort, the Russian news agency said.

The Admiral Tributs previously took part in the mission in 2009 and will now replace the Udaloy class destroyer Admiral Panteleyev.