Russia replaces Black Sea fleet commander after Crimea explosions
- Removal of fleet commander would be one of the most prominent sackings of a military official since Russia’s invasion
- Russia said massive explosions at a military facility on Tuesday were an act of sabotage, as Ukraine hints at role
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Ukraine-backed forces possibly behind strikes in Russian-annexed territory
Russia has replaced the commander of its Crimea-based Black Sea Fleet, a state news agency reported, after a series of explosions rocked the peninsula it annexed in 2014 and had previously seen as a secure rear base for its war in Ukraine.
Moscow blamed saboteurs for blasts that engulfed an ammunition depot in northern Crimea on Tuesday. Plumes of smoke were later seen rising at a second Russian military base in central Crimea, Russia’s Kommersant newspaper said.
Ukraine has not officially taken responsibility but has hinted at it. The apparent Ukrainian capability to strike deeper into Russian-occupied territory, either with some form of weapon or with sabotage, indicates a shift in the conflict.
Blasts destroyed warplanes at a Russian airbase in Crimea last week.
On Wednesday, Russia’s RIA news agency cited sources as saying the commander of its Black Sea fleet, Igor Osipov, had been replaced with a new chief, Viktor Sokolov.
If confirmed, the move would mark one of the most prominent sackings of a military official so far in a war in which Russia has suffered heavy losses in men and equipment.