Russia’s Pacific Fleet commander dismissed after unannounced inspection

Avakyants has been demoted to leading the headquarters that oversees military sports training and patriotic education centers.

The Baltic Fleet commander, Admiral Viktor Liina, is being considered for his place, Russia's RIA-Novosti reported.

Avakyants, 65, had been the Russian Pacific Fleet Commander since 2012.

The Russian Pacific Fleet’s elite 155th Marine Brigade was almost completely destroyed during the storming of Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast in February 2023. The unit had already suffered heavy losses in the battle for Pavlivka also in Donetsk Oblast in November.

Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced a surprise inspection of the Pacific naval fleet on April 14, while putting the fleet on full alert.

On hearing Shoigu's report about the Pacific Fleet’s April 17 drills , Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said that the "fleet is strong" and "capable of solving any tasks."