Pirates seize 33 Ukrainian tanks

The Ukrainian vessel “Faina”, carrying military equipment, including 33 tanks, has been seized by pirates off the African coast. The country's Foreign Ministry says there are at least 21 people on board the ship taken off the coast of Kenya.

It says 17 of them, including the captain, are Ukrainians and there are also three Russians and a Latvian on board. Russia’s Foreign Ministry has not yet confirmed that any of its citizens are on the ship.

The Ukrainian Defence minister, Yury Yekhanurov, said that 33 T-72 tanks, grenade launchers and a large amount of ammunition were on board.

Sea piracy still remains a big problem in African seas.

In May, Somali pirates seized a German ship near the Gulf Of Aden with four Ukrainians and one Russian among the crew.