Russian Navy foils pirate attack on Maersk ship

The Russian anti-submarine destroyer "Admiral Vinogradov" has helped foil a Somali pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden.

The Dutch-registered Maersk Line containership Nedlloyd Barentsz sent a distress signal to the Russian ship saying that pirate boats were approaching the ship and shooting at it,

ussia Today reports that the crew of the Admiral Vinogradov raised the alarm, dispatched a helicopter and the Dutch ship was asked to speed up and make evasive maneuvers.

Pirates made an attempt to board the Dutch ship, but the Russian crew fired warning shots from the helicopter, forcing the pirates to halt.

One of the three boats was stopped and two others were seized by the crew of the Admiral Vinogradov. The ship's doctor gave the necessary medical assistance to three pirates who were wounded by ricochet fire.

"The pirates didn't seem to feel the pain from the wounds, which can be a result of the fact that they were under the influence of drugs," Russia Today quotes Russian Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo as saying

The boats manned by the pirates were handed over to the Yemeni Coast Guard, says Russia Today.