MOSCOW. Nov 5 (Interfax-AVN) - The Baltic Fleet's supply vessel Yelnya will join the escort vessel Neustrashimy, which is currently conducting anti-piracy activities off the Horn of Africa, Igor Dygalo, aide to the commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, told Interfax.
"Yelnya will reach the area where the Neustrashimy is currently located this evening," said Dygalo.
The headquarters of the Russian Navy told Interfax earlier that the tanker Yelnya was sent from Baltiisk to the coast of Somalia to supply fuel, water and food to Neustrashimy.
The vessel is also carrying armed marines, who are protecting it from pirates.
The Yelnya is due to return from Somalia together with the Neustrashimy, which left Baltiisk on September 24.
The Neustrashimy has been used by the Baltic Fleet since 1993. It has a crew of 210 people, including 35 officers. It is armed with missile systems, a universal 100-mm artillery unit, torpedoes, and reactive mortars. The vessel is also carrying a Ka-27 helicopter.