The Russian Pacific Fleet"s Udaloy-class...

A Russian Pacific Fleet task force comprising the Marshal Shaposhnikov, the MB-37 salvage tug and the Pechenga tanker arrived in the Gulf of Aden on March 29 to join the anti-piracy mission there.

"The Pacific Fleet task force has started fulfilling tasks to ensure navigation security" in the pirate-infested area, the spokesman said.

"Currently, the Marshal Shaposhnikov is escorting a convoy of 13 civilian ships," he said.

Somali pirates carried out a record number of attacks and hijackings in 2009. According to the Piracy Reporting Center of the International Maritime Bureau, a total of 217 vessels were attacked last year, resulting in 47 hijackings.

The Marshal Shaposhnikov destroyer has two naval helicopters and a unit of naval infantry on board.

The Russian Navy has maintained a near-permanent presence off the Horn of Africa, with warships operating on a rotation basis. Russia joined international anti-piracy efforts off the Somali coast in

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