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Russian seaman captured off Nigerian coast last month regains freedom

Pirates attacked the offshore supply vessel Bourbon Liberty 251 in the Gulf of Guinea in Nigeria’s territorial waters and kidnapped two crew members on February 23

© EPA/GEORGE ESIRI

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Russian embassy does not confirm Russian sailor’s death in Nigeria — diplomat

MOSCOW, March 25. /TASS/. Russian 32-year-old seaman Ivan Rudny, captured with his colleague from the French vessel Bourbon Liberty 251 in the Gulf of Guinea last month, has been released, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

"The Russian Embassy in Abuja said that on Thursday evening the Russian seaman was released with another sailor, kidnapped from the French vessel Bourbon Liberty 251 off the coast of Nigeria on February 23," the statement said.

"Rudny is in good health," the ministry said. "In the near future, he will come back to Russia."

Pirates attacked the offshore supply vessel Bourbon Liberty 251 in the Gulf of Guinea in Nigeria’s territorial waters and kidnapped two crew members on February 23.

The French crew managed to send a distress call. Nigerian navy sailors set most of the crew free during a release operation. The pirates escaped with two hostages, including a citizen of Russia.

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Russia’s embassy to Nigeria looking into abduction of Russian sailor

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Foreign policy Nigeria

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