Moscow  - Russia's navy detained 29 suspected pirates off the Somali coast, the Itar-Tass news agency reported Wednesday, quoting Defence Ministry officials.

The destroyer Anmiral Panteleev on Tuesday captured a boat carrying pirates, the ministry said. Several Kalashnikov machineguns, handguns of different calibres, satellite navigation equipment and fuel supplies were also discovered on board, the ministry statement added.

Russian authorities believe the detained suspected pirates on Tuesday twice attempted to seize a tanker carrying a Russian crew, but failed. (dpa)