The Russian Navy has deployed its Shaposhnikov destroyer to escort a convoy of five commercial ships through pirate-infested waters off the Somali coast, according to a defence ministry spokesman.

On 29 March, Russia deployed its Pacific Fleet task force, comprising the Marshal Shaposhnikov, the MB-37 salvage tug and the Pechenga tanker in the Gulf of Aden, according to RIA Novosti.

The Russian Navy will use the Djibouti port in the Horn of Africa, as its temporary base for anti-piracy operations in the region.

Currently, Russia is operating its fourth group of warships from the Russian Pacific Fleet in the anti-piracy mission off Somalia, while the Northern and Baltic fleets have also sent task forces to the region.