Commander of the Black Sea Fleet was replaced by Vice Admiral Viktor Sokolov following recent explosions in Crimea, suggesting possible accountability for security failures.

Commander of the Black Sea Fleet was replaced by Vice Admiral Viktor Sokolov following recent explosions in Crimea, suggesting possible accountability for security failures.

Vice Admiral Viktor Sokolov was introduced to the Military Council of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol as the new commander.

The introduction occurred without a public presentation event due to the declared yellow terrorist threat level in Sevastopol.

Russian military aircraft moved from Crimea to bases in Russia after explosions at Saki and Hvardiiske airfields.

Sergei Aksyonov and Vladimir Konstantinov left Crimea during the bridge closure after receiving a call from Moscow indicating danger to their lives, fleeing with their families to Rostov-on-Don.

Subordinates of Aksyonov destroyed documents overnight while the officials were fleeing.

Enemy ships continued to operate in the Black Sea, hiding behind Cape Tarkhankut towards Novorossiysk.