Russia's Admiral Vinogradov destroyer is escorting three vessels through waters off the Horn of Africa to protect them against Somali pirates, Navy Capt. 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said on Wednesday according to RIA Novosti.
"The Russian destroyer is presently escorting the Ukrainian Boris Babochkin, the Russian Cherkassy and the Grenadines-flagged Ocean Starling," the Navy spokesman said.
The Admiral Vinogradov is operating within the framework of an EU anti-piracy operation, dubbed Atalanta, to protect shipping lanes off the Horn of Africa against Somali pirates.
Up to 20 warships from the navies of at least 10 countries are patrolling the area, where pirates based in Somalia seized around 40 ships last year.