and the president of Somalia are allowing the Russian naval ships to enter our waters , and fight against pirates both in the sea and on the land , that is , if they would have to chase them , '' Amb . Mohamed Handule said at a news conference in Moscow . `` We think that this issue of piracy has exceeded all limits . It is very dangerous that pirates are now laying their hands on arms -- not just for Somalia , not only for the navigating , but for the entire region in general , '' he added . `` Right now , pirates are controlling the sea in this area , but just imagine if they get control of the land too . '' The announcement raised concern among some officials monitoring the situation . Watch Russian warships move to confront pirates '' `` We may have bad news , '' said Andrew Mwangura of the Kenya Seafarers Association . Mwangura said some of the Ukrainian crew 's family members are concerned for their loved ones ' safety and have called him to see if he can communicate with the pirates . He urged negotiations
MOSCOW , Russia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Somali government has asked Russia to intervene against pirates who have seized a Ukrainian cargo ship , the Somali ambassador to Russia said Wednesday . The U.S. Navy released this observance photo of the MV Faina , which is loaded with weapons and tanks . But the Russian navy issued a statement later in the day saying it had no intention of using force against the pirates , the Russian news agency Interfax reported . `` The questions of freeing the ships and crew are being dealt with in line with the corresponding international practices , '' Interfax quoted Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo as saying . `` For understandable reasons , the use of force would be an extreme measure because it could threaten the life of the international crew of the ship . '' The pirates took over the MV Faina last week off the coast of Somalia and are demanding a $ 20 million ransom for the ship 's cargo of 33 Soviet-made T-72 tanks , tank artillery shells , grenade launchers and small arms . The ship is anchored within Somalia 's 12-mile territorial limit . `` The government