MOSCOW. March 6 (Interfax) - The two Russian sailors from the British dry cargo carrier Esther Sea who were take hostage in Nigeria in early February are alive, the negotiations on their release continue, and Russia is hoping for a speedy positive result.
"The Russian Foreign Ministry and our embassy in Abuja maintain close contact with the company which owns the vessel and the Nigerian and are taking all necessary measures to ensure prompt release of the Esther Sea crewmembers," Russian Foreign Ministry official Alexander Lukashevich told a briefing in Moscow.
Two Russian sailors and one citizen of Romania were captured by Nigerian pirates on February 7. The Russian citizens are Valery Vinogradov, captain of the vessel, and Andrei Krenyov, senior mechanic.
"We constantly exchange information on this matter with our British and Romanian colleagues. Negotiations are currently conducted with the abductors through a company fired by the owner of the vessel, which specializes on such issues. There is confirmation that all hostages are alive," Lukashevich said.
"We are hoping the result will be achieved and our citizens and the citizen of Romania will be released," the Russian diplomat said.