A Russian navy patrol boat scared off pirates who tried to capture a Saudi Arabian merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden, the Russian navy told Interfax news agency yesterday.

The warship Nyeustrashimy (Fearless) was escorting three other ships through the gulf when it received a signal from the Saudi vessel, Rabih, that it was under attack.

It launched a patrol boat to intercept the pirates, who fled, the Interfax report said.

Pirates, mainly from Somalia, have increased attacks on merchant ships this year, threatening important shipping routes between Europe and Asia. On Wednesday the British navy killed two Somali pirates when they tried to capture a Danish ship.

Meanwhile Somali pirates have released a chemical tanker, the Stolt Valor, after they received a $1.1 million ransom, a regional maritime official said yesterday.

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