Russian Navy to replace warship policing Somali waters after Dec.

MOSCOW, December 4 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian destroyer will be sent to the Horn of Africa in December to take over from a missile frigate currently protecting civilian ships from Somali pirate attacks in the region, a Navy official said on Thursday. The Northern Fleet's Neustrashimy (Fearless) frigate will continue to escort commercial vessels through the dangerous waters until the end of December, when the Pacific Fleet destroyer Admiral Vinogradov will take over, the high-ranking source told RIA Novosti. The Admiral Vinogradov will arrive in the area in three weeks. After its service in Somali waters, the Neustrashimy will return to her home port of Severomorsk. The official said that all technical equipment and weaponry on board the Neustrashimy are functioning properly. During the current mission in the Gulf of Aden, the... [read full story]