Russia seizes 3 pirate ships off Somalia -agencies

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MOSCOW, Feb 13 (Reuters) - A Russian warship has captured three pirate vessels off Somalia, news agencies quoted the Russian navy as saying on Friday.

The nuclear-powered warship, Peter the Great, also detained 10 pirates on the boats, Interfax news agency quoted a spokesman for the Russian navy as saying.

Pirates from Somalia target merchant ships sailing through the busy Gulf of Aden, which connects Europe and Asia via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

Navies from several different countries -- including the United States, Britain, India and Russia -- now patrol the sea off the unstable Horn of Africa to deter pirates.

On Thursday, the U.S. navy said it had detained nine pirates. (Writing by James Kilner; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

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