
Posted by Christopher Albon in NavyTags: Navy, Piracy, Russia, somalia
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In April the Russia’s Admiral Panteleyev captured a group of Somali suspected of attacking a Russian oil tanker the day before:
“During the inspection, the crew found seven Kalashnikov guns, handguns of various brands, aluminum ladders for ascending aboard, navigation equipment, including the satellite one, reserve tanks with fuel, and a big amount of empty cartridge cases,” a Russian Defense Ministry source told the news agency.”
Now, a video has started circling the internet showing the boarding and destruction of the Somali vessel. Interestingly, the Russian Marines use English to speak to the Somalis, a practice previously seen the video of the Dutch operation.
[Apologies for my inability to embed the video]

Posted by Christopher Albon in Navy

Byron Says:
You know, they didn’t show what they did with the pirate they shot in the leg. And they didn’t show what happened to the crew…just that they blew their boat to pieces. And for shame! The Russians now have to file an environmental impact statement for the oil that was burning!!
One can only wonder why this isn’t happening on a regular basis: board, search, and sink.
May 16th, 2010 at 5:27 AMMarcase Says:
Actually, this is done by EUNAVFOR. Captured pirates are set free in a single skiff or whaler with enough supplies to reach land, and the rest of the boats are ‘disabled’.
On the English being used, it *is* the international maritime language, so it is presumed that any sailor understands rudimentary English – especially when spoken behind an assault rifle.
It is noted elsewhere, but the captured ‘pirates’ don’t all look very Somali. This may mean that the Russians also ‘rescued’ a crew who themselves had been hijacked and whose ship had been used as a mothership (a favorite Somali tactic), or the pirate business has started to attract some international entrepreneurs.
With litterally millions to be reaped, piracy is one heck of a job opportunity too good to pass up for many in the region.
May 16th, 2010 at 5:54 AMIf this is allowed to muddle on for much longer, the piracy problem will grow beyond the current containment strategy.
Christopher Albon Says:
Thanks Marcase for the explanation regarding English. I knew the smart USNI readership would provide more details on that. Interesting stuff.
May 16th, 2010 at 5:58 AMUltimaRatioReg Says:
Note also how many hands went up when the Russian sailor calls out “Pakistan”. Simple, poor Somalis? AQ has been advertising its partnership with Al Shabaab for more than a year. Perhaps we should start paying attention.
May 16th, 2010 at 8:03 AMFred Fry Says:
“The Russians now have to file an environmental impact statement for the oil that was burning!!” From a merchant mariner perspective, it is not a spill unless it gets into the water. As a bonus, they are acting on behalf a Government and basically immune to all the shipping regulations, just like the US Navy.
As for English being spoken, current international regulations require that deck officers pass a basic English test. Of course, the Dutch and Russians could be yelling at the pirates in their own language, but given the goal of wanting the pirates to follow instructions, they use English. Just think of port calls in foreign lands, the local officials communicate with the Captain in English. English is truly the language of shipping.
May 16th, 2010 at 8:28 AMFred Fry Says:
Chris,
May 16th, 2010 at 8:29 AMI too have not been able to figure out how to embed video here.
XBradTC Says:
Re: embedding video here. Try using firefox as your browser and get the VodPod video tool. You can embed almost anything. If you need more assistance, just email me.
May 18th, 2010 at 10:13 AMCarl C. Says:
Good for Russians, yet watch them. All-in-all, think U. S. would’ve been more eloquent & professional. Just a feeling…..
(P.S. Keep in mind, have to set pirates free. Something to do w/ fact that Somali pirates [NOT gov't] holding 20-some innocent captives).
May 25th, 2010 at 10:01 PMCarl C. Says:
“As for English being spoken, current international regulations require that deck officers pass a basic English test. Of course, the Dutch and Russians could be yelling at the pirates in their own language, but given the goal of wanting the pirates to follow instructions, they use English.”
May 25th, 2010 at 10:03 PM————————————————————-
Wonder what happened OFF camera !?!
Bill Behrens Says:
Leave it to the Russians…they’ve got balls. I saw the video…Ochen’ khoroshaya rabota, tovarishchi!!! Prodol’zhaite!!!
If the rest of the world had any sense, they would use their military to wipe these pirates off the face of the earth. All of the major military powers have navies…submarines. When a mother pirate ship is encountered….torpoedo it, or like the Americans did…take them out individually.
February 19th, 2011 at 4:21 PMSlivers Says:
Three cheers for the Russians for finding the S**T and wiping it clean
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:28 PM