After ‘surprise inspection,’ Russia appoints new Pacific Fleet commander
Admiral Viktor Liina, previously the commander of the Russian Navy’s Baltic Fleet, has been appointed commander of the Pacific Fleet, TASS and RIA Novosti report.
Vice Admiral Vladimir Vorobyov, who until now served as deputy chief of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, is to take Liina’s place as the new commander of the Baltic Fleet.
Admiral Liina is replacing the Pacific Fleet’s previous commander, Admiral Sergey Avakyants, whose resignation was announced on April 20, days after the Pacific Fleet had to perform a combat readiness exercise during a “surprise inspection.” In the wake of the exercise, Avakyants is being put in charge of Russia’s youth sports and military training centers and patriotic education.
“The decrees appointing Admirals Vorobyov and Liina as commanders of the Baltic and Pacific Fleets have been signed; in the nearest future, they will fly to their places of assignment to assume their duties,” an informed source told RIA Novosti.
The two admirals’ appointments have not yet been officially confirmed.
