“I ... have been appointed acting commander of the Black Sea Fleet,” Sokolov is quoted by TASS.

He announced this during a meeting with young officers.

Sokolov clarified that he was appointed to act by order of the Minister of Defense dated August 10.

The day before, the information support department of the Black Sea region commented on reports that instead of Admiral Igor Osipov, Vice Admiral Viktor Sokolov became the commander of the Black Sea Fleet.