Russia has asked the Somali government for permission to fight pirates in Somali territorial waters, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday according to Interfax.
"In order to have a free hand in fighting piracy in the Somali territorial waters, the Russian Foreign Ministry has asked the Somali interim federal government to grant Russia the status of a 'cooperating state'," the ministry said.
"Russia intends to take every measure necessary for stabilization in that naval area and authorized by the UN Security Council in cooperation with other states," the ministry said.
The ministry noted that Russia's Neustrashimy patrol ship would soon approach the area.
"The Russian Federation fully shares international concern over the impermissible danger to navigation in the Bay of Aden and adjoining waters because of pirate attacks," the ministry said.