Kiev  - Pirates operating near the shores of Kenya grabbed a Ukrainian cargo ship possibly loaded with military munitions and even tanks, the Interfax news agency reported Thursday.

Three motor boats loaded with armed men intercepted the Ukrainian bulk carrier Faini in international waters off Kenya's Indian Ocean coast, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry officials said.

The Belize-flagged vessel was carrying an authorized Ukrainian government arms shipment to Kenya including 30 type T-72 tanks, an additional number of armoured personnel carriers, and munitions, according to Ukraine media reports.

Ukrainian diplomats confirmed that the vessel with 21 crew members aboard - 17 Ukrainians, 3 Russians, and one Latvian - had been captured by the buccaneers but declined to provided details on the ship's cargo.

The captain contacted the ship's owner by telephone and reported that armed men were boarding, shortly before losing communications.

Ukrainian government and commercial representatives were attempting to re-establish contact. The pirates' demands, if any, were not reported. (dpa)