Ukrainian President To Award Rescued Sailors

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said today he will award sailors from the Ukrainian cargo ship "Faina" with medals for courage, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports.

Speaking at Kyiv's Borispil Airport, President Yushchenko said that all the rescued sailors and officers of Ukraine's special services, who were involved in the rescue operation, would be awarded.

Yushchenko came to the airport to greet the rescued sailors, who arrived in Kyiv from Kenya this morning.

The "Faina" was captured by pirates near Somalia on September 25 last year. On February 4, Somali pirates released the "Faina" after a multimillion-dollar ransom was paid.

The ship was carrying tanks, ammunition, and other armaments that were reportedly bound for Kenya.

-- Ukrainian Service