Somali pirates have demanded a $35-million ransom for the release of a Ukrainian freighter carrying a shipment of tanks and grenade launchers, a regional maritime official said Saturday. The MV Faina was seized on Thursday with a crew of 21 people on board as it neared the Kenyan port of Mombasa with a cargo of T-72 battle tanks, grenade launchers and ammunition destined for Kenya's military. “They are demanding $35 million for the ransom, but I think it is the start of the negotiation,” said Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of the East Africa Seafarers Assistance Program. A Russian warship headed for the seas off Somalia Saturday after the hijacking of the freighter, officials said. The frigate Neustrashimy (Fearless) was ordered to the region in response to “the rise in pirate attacks, including against Russian citizens,” Russian navy spokesman Igor Dygalo said Friday. “Russia's navy will send ships for temporary missions to areas made dangerous because of maritime piracy to protect Russian citizens and guarantee the safety of shipping,” he said. The frigate, armed with missiles and guns and carrying a crew of up to 200, will stay near Somalia “for more than two months in order to guarantee the safety of Russian ships,” RIA Novosti news agency quoted the commander of the Baltic Fleet, Viktor Mardusin, as saying. In Washington the Pentagon said it was considering its options after the incident. “The United States is monitoring this situation as it develops and looking at possible options,” said Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman. “Obviously a ship carrying cargo of that nature being hijacked off the coast of Somalia is something that should concern us,” said Whitman. “We very much care about piracy.”
