SEVEROMORSK. June 23 (Interfax-AVN) - On of the priorities for increasing combat readiness of the Northern Fleet in the summer combat training period will consist in strengthening law and order, as well as military discipline, Rear Admiral Alexander Dyakonov, Deputy Commander of the Northern Fleet for Personnel Support, said at the meeting of the Northern Fleet Staff board.
According to him, the number of offenses in the Northern Fleet reduced by 17% in the four months of 2005 y-o-y 2004 due to personnel support work.
"At the same time, the increase in criminal offenses and embezzlement raises considerable concern," he added, meaning embezzlement of fleet material resources by officials, accused of abuse of power.
Such offenses account for 14% of the overall number of crimes, committed within four months of 2005.
In addition to that, the number of crimes, committed under alcoholic intoxication, has increased. At the same time, Dyakonov noted that the number of hazing offenses had reduced by 34%.
Colonel Sergei Bugreyev, Deputy Military Prosecutor of the Northern Fleet, believes that the criminal environment in the fleet remains complicated.
He confirmed that given the overall decrease in the number of offenses, their gravity was increasing. He is especially concerned about the fact that a great number of crimes involved assault and battery. The number of property offenses and abuses of authority, as well as criminal negligence remains high.
"We are also concerned about the fact that certain commanding officers conceal offenses and even crimes in order to create a visibility of well-being in their units," Bugreyev said.
The summer combat training period in the Northern Fleet started on June 1 and will end at the turn of the year.