TASS, January 5. Russian diplomats are making inquiries about the citizenship of six sailors abducted by pirates from a ship off Benin, the Russian embassy in Benin told TASS.

"As we’ve been told by the Chief Staff of Benin’s Navy, a ship was seized in an overnight January 1-2 attack near Benin’s territorial waters. There were 26 people on board, including two Georgians, four Ukrainians and 20 Russians. Six people were kidnapped. Their citizenship is unknown," the embassy’s official told TASS by telephone.

"The Russian embassy in Benin keeps in touch with the local authorities over the incident," he added.

According to the embassy, the ship is currently in Nigeria’s territorial waters.