25.06.2009 Russia's newest strategic nuclear submarine Yury Dolgoruky started sea trials in the White Sea last Friday. Just before it left the shipyard, the commander was replaced.
According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, captain 1st rank Konstantin Mitkin was replaced by captain 1st rank Vladimir Shirin just before the sea trials started. The Navy did not want to comment on this information, but it was confimed by sources at Sevmash.
Just before the departure, the submarine was inspected by Head of the Russian Navy Vladimir Vystosky. Yury Dolgoruky is not only the first submarine of the Borey class, it is also the first missile submarine to be built in a sovereign Russia.
Yury Dolgoruky will be out in the White Sea for approximately 20 days. Specialists from Sevmash and the Navy command are aboard to inspect the submarines performance.