Russian state media confirmed on Tuesday (19) that the Kremlin has replaced the head of the country's Navy following a series of successful Ukrainian attacks on its Black Sea fleet.
Admiral Alexander Moiseyev was officially introduced for the first time as acting commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy during Submariner's Day celebrations in Kronshtadt, a city and naval base on Kotlin Island, west of Saint Petersburg, according to TASS news agency.
Born on April 16, 1962, in Borskoye, Kaliningrad region, Moiseyev served “for many years on nuclear submarines of the Northern Fleet, from combat element group engineer to commander of missile submarine and submarine forces”, from agreement with the Russian Ministry of Defense.
In 2011, Moiseyev was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation for the courage and heroism shown in the line of duty, according to the ministry. He also received two Orders of Courage and numerous other awards and medals.
Moiseyev replaces Admiral Nikolay Yevmenov, according to TASS, whose future has been the subject of speculation for weeks due to Russia's repeated losses in the Black Sea.
Although the situation on the front lines of ground fighting between Russia and Ukraine has remained static for months, save for a few Russian victories, successes in the Black Sea have been a bright spot for the Ukrainian military.
Ukraine said last month it had disabled a third of Russia's Black Sea fleet in attacks that mainly involved underwater drones.
The attacks aim to isolate the Crimean Peninsula to make it more difficult for Russia to sustain its military operations in the area and on the Ukrainian mainland. Moscow seized Crimea 10 years ago in violation of international law, making attacks there have symbolic significance as well as strategic value.
The retreat of the Russian fleet also allowed Kiev to open a maritime corridor for the export of cereals and other goods to the global market.
But these losses led the Kremlin to redouble its efforts to strengthen the Black Sea Fleet.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu admitted that Ukraine took advantage of the Black Sea Fleet's vulnerabilities during a visit to its command post.
According to a ministry statement, Shoigu ordered the Russian Navy to add more firepower to warships to combat Ukrainian drones and train agents “during the day and at night.”
It is unclear when exactly Moiseyev was appointed to replace Yevmenov. The intrigue within Russia's military is, like much of the country's authoritarian politics, notoriously opaque.
Tuesday's report in Russian state media was the first time Moiseyev was identified with his new title. The report did not mention whether Yevmenov was fired or transferred.
Source: CNN Brasil
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