Kremlin-connected Russian Telegram channels reported on Thursday that Admiral Viktor Sokolov, the commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, has been relieved of his duties.
In keeping with the “Rybar” channel, carefully related to the Russian Ministry of Protection, Sokolov, who assumed command of the fleet within the autumn of 2022, has been changed by a “chief of employees” Vice Admiral Sergey Pinchuk.
Alex Returns, one other Telegram channel, additionally reported on Sokolov’s dismissal and the appointment of 53-year-old Pinchuk, a local of Sevastopol, who has been underneath private sanctions from the European Union since February 2022.
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Sokolov held the place since August 14, 2022, succeeding Admiral Igor Osipov. Underneath Osipov’s command, the Russian Black Sea Fleet misplaced its flagship, the large missile cruiser “Moskva,” and failed to keep up management over the north-western waters of the Black Sea.
Information of the change in command comes a day after one other massive touchdown ship was destroyed within the Black Sea by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.