Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the country's navy chief following a string of attacks by Ukraine that severely impacted Moscow's Black Sea Fleet, as reported by various sources.
Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, who served as Russia's navy commander-in-chief since May 2019, has been succeeded by Alexander Moiseyev, the commander of the Northern Fleet. Moiseyev is expected to be formally appointed to the position permanently in the near future.
According to sources from Ukraine’s military intelligence service, the HUR, Admiral Yevmenov's departure had been anticipated for some time, particularly following the destruction of approximately one-third of the 80 warships comprising the Russian Black Sea Fleet since the onset of the conflict.
An HUR source stated, when asked about the reasons for Yevemenov’s reported firing, that the final straw was the destruction of the Sergey Kotov last week.
Kyiv's forces assert that they have effectively targeted at least 26 Russian vessels in the past two years.
If Yevmenov's removal is verified, it would be the most notable restructuring in Russia's military leadership since the dismissal of Air Force Chief Sergei Surovikin last year.
