Vice Adm. Vladimir Korolyov has been appointed the new commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, a fleet staff officer said on Thursday.
Korolyov, former deputy commander of the Northern Fleet, replaces Vice Adm. Alexander Kletskov, who is currently on leave of absence and will formally retire in August when he passes the mandatory age limit for active service (55).
Russia's Black Sea Fleet is stationed in Ukraine's port of Sevastopol under a lease agreement. Moscow and Kiev recently signed a deal extending the lease on the fleet's base in Sevastopol for 25 years after the current lease expires in 2017.
President Dimitry Medvedev has instructed the Russian Defense Ministry to draw up a plan for the development of the Sevastopol base, which plays a key role in ensuring Russia's presence in the Black Sea region and the Mediterranean.
Russian Navy Commander Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky has said the Black Sea Fleet will be reinforced with 15 new combat ships and diesel-electric submarines by 2020.
MOSCOW, July 8 (RIA Novosti)
