VLADIVOSTOK, September 24 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian tanker has come under pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden, a Primorye Shipping Company spokesman said on Thursday.
He did not say when the attack took place or provide any more details, saying an official report would soon be posted on the company's website.
According to some reports, the Alexandra tanker, with 19 Russian crewmembers onboard, was attacked on Saturday, but the vessel took evasive action and prevented the assailants from boarding it.
Warships on patrol nearby swiftly responded to the tanker's distress call and the pirates were forced to retreat.
Around 35 warships from the navies of 16 countries are currently deployed on key trade routes in the Gulf of Aden to counter frequent attacks by pirates based in Somalia, which has no functioning government.
There have been around 150 pirate attacks on commercial vessels in the region since the beginning of the year, with over 40 ships captured and at least 270 personnel taken hostage.
