Pirates say they celebrated Ramadan on ship

'Propaganda effort'
Russian analysts say the hijacking has given Moscow another chance to display its might following its brief war with Georgia — which the Kremlin justified, in part, as an effort to protect Russians living in two Georgian breakaway regions.

"It's another show of the flag intended to demonstrate that Russia would protect its citizens wherever it deems it necessary," said Yevgeny Volk, the head of the Moscow office of the Heritage Foundation.

A hostage rescue would play well with the many Russians nostalgic for the superpower status of the Soviet Union.

Pavel Felgenhauer, an independent military analyst, said Russia might be tempted to use force. "Neustrashimy is a well-armed frigate, which can do that," he said.

But there was no word of any Russian forces being sent to the area besides the frigate. The ship is armed with cruise missiles, torpedoes and cannons, and carries a helicopter.

"It's a pure propaganda effort," Volk said, arguing that a single warship would be useless in the current situation and a special-forces mission would be needed.

Ukraine has said little about the hijacking, and it's not clear if it is negotiating to end the crisis. Moscow has not publicly offered help to Ukraine, and Kiev has not publicly asked.

Under attack
The hijacking comes at a time of strained relations between the two. Moscow is angry about Kiev's bid to join NATO, its threat to evict Russia's Black Sea fleet from its Ukrainian base in Sevastopol, and Ukraine's criticism of Russia's war in Georgia.

Russia's government-owned RIA Novosti news agency Monday quoted an unidentified Russian official as criticizing Ukraine for failing to provide a military escort for the ship.

Most pirate attacks occur in the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, north of Somalia. But recently pirates have been targeting Indian Ocean waters off eastern Somalia.

Some 62 ships have been attacked in the notorious African waters this year. A total of 26 ships were hijacked, and 12 remain in the hands of the pirates along with more than 200 crew members.

International warships patrol the area and have created a special security corridor under a U.S.-led initiative, but attacks have not abated.

More from msnbc.com Red Tape: Now’s your chance to spy on Google Fact or fiction? ‘McCain’ Dems opposed health bill In slump-hit areas, suicide rates on the rise Is the swine flu shot as safe as regular vaccine? Scoop: Letterman extortion case heads to court Signs of the sacrifices of military life On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM AFRICA

Africa Section Front

Somali pirates striking farther out to sea Trial for top Zimbabwean PM's aide gets under way China promises billions in aid, loans to Africa West Africa's giraffes escape extinction Africa Section Front   Add Africa headlines to your news reader: