MOSCOW, August 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russian...

The Arctic Sea cargo vessel, which is operated by Solchart Arkhangelsk Ltd and has a 15-member Russian crew on board, was last sited off the coast of Portugal and is now feared to have been hijacked.

"The Russian Navy ships continue to carry out the [search] task in the Atlantic, following set courses and searching for the Arctic Sea vessel," the statement said.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered on Wednesday measures to track, monitor and, if necessary, free the ship from the hijackers after Solchart requested state assistance in the search-and-rescue operation.

Russia"s Defense Ministry later said that it had dispatched Black Sea Fleet vessels now on a mission in the Atlantic to hunt for the cargo ship, and all search-and-rescue means, including satellite reconnaissance, have been deployed.

According to the Navy"s statement, the Russian warships have established contacts with the Russian state maritime rescue center and a number of international

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