Russian oil tanker seized by pirates: reports

Pirates this morning seized a Russian oil tanker with a crew of 23 on board in the Gulf of Aden, the RIA Novosti news agency reported, quoting naval sources.

The tanker, Moscow University, was attacked by pirates at around 0400 GMT and the captain managed to inform naval forces in the region before the communication was cut off.

"Moscow University has not made contact. But the coalition forces (in the region) have sufficient information indicating that the tanker has been seized," a high-ranking naval source, who was not named, told RIA Novosti.

Russian destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov was alerted and heading to the scene, the report said.