Vladimir Masorin

    MOSCOW, Sept. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Chief of the Navy Staff, First Deputy Navy Commander Admiral Vladimir Masorin as the Russian Navy commander, the Kremlin press service said on Sunday.

Vladimir Kuroyedov

    At the same time, Putin has removed Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov from the post of the Russian Navy commander and dismissed him from military service, the Itar-Tass news agency quoted the Kremlin press service as saying.

    Putin has also appointed North Fleet commander Mikhail Abramov as the Chief of the Navy Staff -- First Deputy Navy Commander, said the report.

    Masorin was born in the town of Beloye in the Tver region on Aug. 24, 1947. He graduated from the Black Sea Nakhimov Naval School in 1970, the Naval Academy in 1986, and the General Staff Academy in 1993.

    In 1993-1996 he was the chief of staff -- first deputy commander of the Kola Flotilla. In 1996-2002 he was the commander of the Caspian Flotilla. In 2002-2005 he was the commander of the Black Sea Fleet.

    In February 2005 Masorin was appointed as the Chief of the Russian Navy Staff.

    Putin emphasized that it is impossible to ensure national security and economic tasks of Russia without the Navy.

    At a Sunday meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov and Admiral Vladimir Masorin, the president said "The Navy is a fundamental component in the provision of national security, including the nuclear one".

    He noted a realistic plan of the Navy development has been drafted. Much has been done ...Many vessels have been repaired, and the construction of several vessels has begun.

    The Navy has received a number of vessels and started arming them, according to the president.

    Putin pointed out that among the plenty of tasks the construction of vessels and the development of the fleet is "a very peculiar task". Enditem