Pirates Seize Ukrainian Ship Off Somalia
By Associated Press | September 26, 2008
KIEV, Ukraine — The Foreign Ministry says pirates have seized a Ukrainian-operated ship off Somalia.
The ministry says the Faina was sailing with 21 people on board under the Belize flag, though it is operated by Ukrainian managing company Tomax Team Inc.
The ministry says in a statement that the ship's captain reported being surrounded by three boats of armed men yesterday afternoon.
The ship's passengers include 17 Ukrainian citizens including the captain, as well as three Russians and one Latvian citizen.
The ministry had no information on the ship's cargo. But the Interfax news agency cited an unnamed source as saying the ship was loaded with about 30 T-72 tanks and spare parts for them.
