600 officers to be dismissed from BSF

28.04.2010 The day before agreement of Black Sea Fleet (BSF) deployment in Crimea was signed, it had been reported about forthcoming staff reductions in the fleet. Over 600 officers will be dismissed.

That was said to Novy Region by a source in Black Sea Fleet HQ.

According to the interviewee, the most sore stuff reductions will happen to marine brigade. Young officers recently came from academies will be dismissed there.

"That's the deadline. Next stop is platoon commanders which are the basis of the military", said the interviewee.

After ratification of BSF agreement the situation will change, thinks Rear Admiral Vladimir Solovyov, the head of public organization "CIS Countries' Institute in Sevastopol ".

"Yeah, the element of uncertainty presents. However, Russia has repeatedly said that after this agreement it would be possible to shift ships and subs here at the Black Sea. Russia is also affected by economic crisis, just like other states. And it would be an absurd to appropriate money for fleet development without certain guarantees. But now, having ratified such agreement, Russia has a kind of obligation to maintain the fleet on top", said Solovyov to Novy Region.

The expert reminded that Russia had intended to attach two warships and a submarine to Black Sea Fleet. Alongside with that, there's no need to escalate military power up to Soviet level, supposes Solovyov.

"There's no point of creating a large force here, although number of Russian warships should be comparable to those of Black Sea states. We have to be leaders in the region", said Solovyov.

As for him, there are certain objects in Sevastopol which could be written off. First of all, depots and storages.

"Anyways, any reduction has its limit. On the other hand, we need to expand such things like fire safety or harbor security. Certainly, staff is needed", said Solovyov.