Russian, British Ships Thwart Somali Pirate Attack on Danish Boat

MOSCOW – The Russian navy says Russian and British ships have repelled a pirate attack off Somalia in the Gulf of Aden.

The navy press service says the Russian frigate Neustrashimy and the British frigate Cumberland foiled pirates who fired automatic weapons toward a Danish ship and twice tried to seize it.

A spokesman says both ships sent up helicopters. He provided few other details about the confrontation, including the day it occurred.

Russia sent its missile frigate to protect Russian ships and crew off Somalia's coast after a Ukrainian freighter with three Russians aboard was hijacked in September.

The navy spokesman spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity, citing navy policy.