Russia dismisses Black Sea Fleet Commander after Ukraine sinks Caesar Kunikov – UK intelligence

British military intelligence reported the information.

On 15 February 2024, Russian pro-war commentators reported that the Commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Viktor Sokolov, had been dismissed.

“Drawing similarities with his predecessor, Igor Osipov, this is highly likely to be a result of Ukraine's success in sinking various ships under his command. Sokolov's leadership style may have also played a role in his dismissal," the intelligence service said.

The Russian Ministry of Defence has not officially confirmed the information about Sokolov's dismissal, he was probably replaced by his now former Deputy Vice Admiral Sergei Pinchuk, who will act as commander until the completion of an internal investigation into the sinking of the Ropucha-class Caesar Kunikov amphibious assault ship on 15 February 2024.

• On the morning of Wednesday, February 14, Ukrainian defenders, together with the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, downed the Russian large amphibious assault ship Caesar Kunikov in the Black Sea.
• British intelligence believes that the destruction of the Russian large amphibious assault ship Caesar Kunikov will limit Russia's resources in the Black Sea and affect the logistics of transportation.
• There is a high probability that most of the crew of the destroyed Russian large amphibious assault ship Caesar Kunikov was killed. Most likely, the sailors ended up in the water because ambulances were taking them from the shore.