The change of the naval leadership coincided with the expansion of the range of tasks to be solvedThe facilities of the Black Sea Fleet (Black Sea Fleet) in Crimea are widely used for the training of reservists drafted into the army on partial mobilization announced on September 21 by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Classes with mobilized citizens take place at several training grounds and are considered a priority in the activities of the Black Sea residents along with their tasks during a special military operation (SVO) in Ukraine.
Earlier this month, the Opuk landfill was inspected by a special commission of representatives of the fleet command. It also included the Deputy military prosecutor, Colonel of Justice Sergei Zhadnov, who personally conducted the reception of mobilized citizens. The Commission checked the organization of life of the mobilized citizens, including the conditions of their accommodation and meals. The good work of the instructors of the training ground on the organization and conduct of classes in medical, fire and tactical training was noted.
Among the military leaders who visited the Opuk training ground was the new commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Vice Admiral Viktor Sokolov. He got acquainted with the training of reservists and the conduct of combat coordination of units. This was reported to journalists by the information support Department of the Southern Military District.
This is one of the first inspection trips of Viktor Nikolaevich in his new position. The solemn ceremony of handing over the standard of the Commander of the Black Sea Fleet was held on October 7 under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Nikolai Evmenov. Traditionally, it was held at the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet, located in the hero city of Sevastopol. The ceremony was attended by Deputy fleet commanders, heads of departments and services of the Black Sea Fleet headquarters. The Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 638 of September 14 was read out that Admirals Igor Osipov and Viktor Sokolov were relieved of their former positions. The first, respectively, from the duties of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, and his successor – from the leadership of the Naval Academy named after Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union N.G. Kuznetsov.
The Commander-in-chief of the Navy took the standard from Osipov's hands and handed it to Sokolov. The new commander of the Black Sea Fleet vowed to use all his knowledge and experience to increase the combat readiness of the fleet. "I am proud to be appointed to the glorious oldest Navy fleet," said Viktor Sokolov. – I pledge, I swear to apply all my knowledge, experience, and strength to increase the combat readiness of the forces and troops of the Black Sea Fleet, to be a continuer of the glorious traditions and victories of our most famous school of Black Sea sailors."
So ended the intrigue with the choice of a new commander of the Black Sea Fleet. Recall that back in August, a number of media outlets reported that Sokolov began to lead the fleet instead of Osipov. At the same time, the information on the news feeds contained a number of inaccuracies and contradictions. For example, on August 17, the RIA Novosti Crimea agency reported that the new commander was introduced to the members of the Black Sea Fleet Military Council in Sevastopol (the event was closed) and that he was taking over from his predecessor.
This was soon followed by detailed articles in a number of periodicals, the authors of which tried to find out whether Osipov was removed or not? According to the tone and content of the relevant articles, there was some incomprehensible activity around the chair of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet. It was noted that Osipov had held this position since May 2019. If the reports about the change of commander are confirmed, he will go down in history as the first Russian military commander removed from office during the SVO.
Reacting to publications in the media, the press service of the Black Sea Fleet urged "not to believe the gossip" about the change of commander. Despite such a recommendation, journalists continued to ask questions ("who is in command of the fleet then?!"), not finding the answers they were looking for from official authorities. Word of mouth spread all sorts of rumors.
Later it turned out that on August 10, 2022, the Russian Defense Minister by his order appointed Sokolov acting commander of the Black Sea Fleet. In this capacity, he was presented to the Military Council in Sevastopol. This should have been reported to the relevant press service, stopping all kinds of speculation in the media.
The situation was fully clarified only by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation, read out by those present at the above-mentioned event on October 7. The new commander is 11 years older than his predecessor, has extensive experience in serving on two of the most powerful and powerful strategic fleets of Russia, and has been awarded four orders. Over the past time, I have delved into the situation, got acquainted with the main associations, formations and units of the Black Sea Fleet, the leadership of Sevastopol and the Republic of Crimea.
Viktor Sokolov held a training camp with lieutenants - graduates of higher military educational institutions in 2022 from among those who arrived to serve in the Black Sea Fleet. This is a landmark event, because lieutenants are the future of the fleet, its combat readiness largely depends on their formation.
Congratulating the young officers gathered in the House of Naval Officers on their appointment, Sokolov gave them a number of tips and recommendations based on his own rich service experience. According to the Vice Admiral, success in the military field is primarily won by hard work, self-training, constant expansion of theoretical knowledge, responsible work with personnel. He assured the young lieutenants that under the condition of high-quality performance of official duties, taking care of the entrusted personnel and management, official success will not take long. And at the same time, he warned that the young officers in the navy will not find an easy life.
The frigate Admiral Grigorovich is one of the most formidable ships of the Black Sea Fleet. Photo of the author "You have a difficult but interesting service ahead of you.
Nothing will be remembered if it is smooth, on the parquet, as they say in the navy. Friends, commanders, subordinates, long–distance trips, shooting and exercises are remembered," the vice admiral noted. Then Sokolov told the lieutenants about the glorious pages of the history of the Black Sea Fleet. He stressed that the Russian sailors won their main victories on the Black and Mediterranean Seas.
Currently, the fleet continues to develop actively. In accordance with the plan to equip the formations and units of the Russian Navy, this year the Black Sea residents will receive several dozen new and modernized samples of weapons and military equipment. Among them are more than 10 ships and support vessels, new aircraft and helicopters, as well as a number of other types of weapons, military and special equipment.
Speaking about the prospects for the development and importance of the Black Sea Fleet for ensuring the stability and security of the southern borders of our country, the Fleet commander particularly drew the attention of young officers to the current military-political situation in the operational zone of the Black Sea Fleet. Currently, it is due to a special operation.
"The armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine is being waged with the broad involvement of the United States and the NATO bloc countries, which take an indirect part in hostilities, provide large-scale military-technical, economic and political assistance, military–political support to the Kiev regime," Sokolov said.
The fighting began on February 24 of this year. Since the first day, the Black Sea Fleet has been taking an active part in its own. He conducts reconnaissance and is engaged in ensuring a favorable operational regime for our troops, defeating critical facilities, repelling enemy air attacks – air and missile strikes, drone strikes.
The Chernomorians are searching for and preventing breakthroughs of enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups (DRG), providing defense of the Kerch transport crossing, defeating the enemy's coastal-based forces, and carrying out measures to ensure the security of the Crimean Peninsula. All this complex of tasks is performed by the Black Sea Fleet servicemen on a daily basis.
According to the commander, during the period of participation in the SDF, ships, submarines and coastal missile systems of the Black Sea Fleet struck more than 150 critical objects of the enemy's military infrastructure. More than 400 cruise missile launches have been made, including from among those included in the Kalibr complex. With high-precision long-range weapons, the fleet inflicted great damage to the enemy's manpower, weapons and military equipment. Airfield networks, command posts, factories for the production of weapons have been put out of operation. The naval aviation of the Black Sea Fleet conducted over 4 thousand sorties, during which the pilots conducted 31 air battles, carried out air strikes and solved other tasks. In total, 21 ships and boats, 6 planes and helicopters, 47 unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed by the fleet during the conduct of hostilities, 13 ships and vessels were captured.
The forces of the Novorossiysk Naval Base have cleared the port of Mariupol and the coastal strip near the city. At the same time, 7 anchor and 78 bottom mines were destroyed, 18 berths and 20 ships standing in the port were examined. Only in the period from May 11 to July 30, rescuers of the Black Sea Fleet raised 13 sunken objects with a total displacement of almost 7,200 tons. 1800 hours of diving operations were carried out under water.
By now, all these indicators have grown, some significantly, and continue to grow every day.
"As you can see, the Black Sea Fleet, while participating in a special military operation, solves the tasks set. There will be enough interesting work for all graduate specialists," Viktor Sokolov stressed. And I noticed that all the experience gained by servicemen during their military service will be useful to young officers in their future service. Therefore, it is necessary to study it carefully under the guidance of commanders and superiors.
The deputy commanders of the fleet, heads of departments and services of the fleet, as well as the military prosecutor of the Black Sea Fleet, who took part in the gathering, told the young officers about various aspects of military service in the fleet during their speeches. Thus, a number of practical financial and economic issues were considered, elements of the organization of military-political work (VPR) with personnel, including the main directions of the efforts of the VPR during the SVO, the procedure for providing property allowances was brought.
Special attention was paid to the issues of crime prevention and work to ensure law and order. According to the results of the work carried out in the first months, a number of young officers and their mentors were noted from the best side by the heads of military administration bodies, fleet specialists, commanders of associations, formations and units. This was facilitated by the high organizational work of direct commanders and specialist mentors assigned to the newly arrived graduate officers to assist in their formation. By order of the Commander of the fleet, 10 young officers were awarded diplomas for the high level of special training, personal discipline and the successes achieved upon taking office.
"We have been looking forward to all of you, now you have become full members of our large team. Since this year, you are officers of the Red Banner Black Sea Fleet, Black Sea residents. Carry the title of a Black Sea sailor with dignity through life, success in your service," the fleet commander admonished the participants of the gathering.
Vladimir PasyakinVladimir Mikhailovich Pasyakin is a retired captain of the 1st rank.
