Igor Osipov, commander of the Black Sea Fleet, was fired in Russia, according to Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov, citing sources.. The reason for the dismissal was the destruction of a military airfield near Novofedorovka in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

The journalist explained that the main striking force of the Black Sea Fleet, the 43rd Naval Assault Aviation Regiment, was stationed at this air base.. And the destruction of aircraft, probably as a result of blowing up two ammunition depots, indicates the defeat of the regiment.

“About half of the combat-ready aircraft were destroyed, and most of the very expensive ammunition, heavy damage was done to the infrastructure of the air base,” Butusov writes on Facebook.

Butusov recalls that Osipov remained in office even after the Ukrainian troops destroyed the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the cruiser Moskva. But after the explosions in Novofedorovka, the admiral lost his post.

“This is the best demonstration of the catastrophic consequences for Russia of the explosions at the Novofedorovka airbase in the Crimea. Russian aviation suffered an unheard-of defeat, the first in its history after World War II,” the journalist adds..

According to Russian media, Vice Admiral Viktor Sokolov has been appointed the new commander of the Black Sea Fleet..