Anti-piracy operations must be led by UN - Russia's navy chief

Around 35 warships from the navies of 16 countries are currently deployed off Somalia's coast to counter frequent pirate attacks on vital commercial lanes. According to the United Nations, Somali pirates carried out at least 120 attacks on ships in 2008 alone.

Russia will conduct both separate missions and joint operations in cooperation with foreign navies in the Gulf of Aden, the admiral said.

Russia's Pacific Fleet will send a new task force, comprising a warship with two helicopters, a salvage tug, a tanker, and a naval infantry unit, to the Gulf of Aden in late June.

According to the UN, Somali pirates collected $150 million in ransom payments from ship owners last year, while overall losses from piracy were estimated at $13-16 billion, including the soaring cost of insurance and protection for vessels, as well as sending ships on longer routes to avoid high-risk areas, Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.