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full screen The Russian warship Tsezar Kunikov was sunk earlier this week. File photo from 2015. Photo: Burak Gezen/AP/TT
Britain’s Ministry of Defense writes that Viktor Sokolov, commander of the Russian Black Sea fleet, has probably been replaced.
Russian war commentators have stated earlier this week that Sokolov has been removed from the post, the ministry writes on X.
According to the Defense Department statement, it is likely that Ukraine’s success in sinking ships during his time as commander contributed to Sokolov’s ouster.
The information has not been confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense. But according to the British ministry, it is likely that the former deputy commander, Sergej Pintjuk, is currently acting commander, until an internal investigation into a sunken ship is completed.
The investigation concerns the Russian warship Tsezar Kunikov, which is a landing craft that was sunk earlier this week. Several media have reported that the ship was destroyed by Ukraine.
Last fall, Ukraine claimed Sokolov was among the dead following a drone attack on Russian naval headquarters in occupied Crimea – claims denied by Russia.