In citing their sources, Ukrainian and Russian mass media write that the Black Sea Fleet commander, Admiral Viktor Sokolov, has been dismissed. Insiders claim that the main reason for the dismissal is Ukraine's destruction of the large landing ship "Caesar Kunikov".
Russia's Black Sea Fleet commander has lost his post
Ukrainian journalists reported removing Viktor Sokolov from his post, referring to their sources in the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU). The independent opposition mass media also confirm this information.
According to the latest data, the duties of the current head of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation will be performed by his deputy, Chief of Staff of the Black Sea Fleet, Vice Admiral Serhiy Pinchuk.
It is essential to understand that as early as September 2023, the Special Operations Forces of Ukraine reported that Sokolov was killed as a result of the attack on the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation.
However, insiders of journalists at DIU stated that there is no confirmed data about the death of Viktor Sokolov.
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that Sokolov's predecessor, Igor Osypov, was dismissed immediately after the sinking of the Moscow cruiser in April 2022.
It was officially announced that Sokolov would replace him only on August 10, 2022.
Destruction of the "Caesar Kunikov": what is known
On the night of February 14, the DIU "Group 13" special unit was able to sink the large Russian landing ship "Caesar Kunikov".
The enemy ship was attacked by "Magura V5" sea attack drones near the shores of the temporarily occupied Crimea near Alupka.
According to Ukrainian intelligence officers, the search and rescue operation of the Russian invaders was unsuccessful.
What is important to understand is that during the two years of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war, Ukraine was able to destroy a third of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation.
