MOSCOW. Oct 26 (Interfax) - Anatoly Kovalenko has become commander of the submarine forces of the Northern Fleet, replacing Arkady Romanov, who has gone on to the Black Sea Fleet, the Northern Fleet's press service said.
"Vice Adm. Arkady Romanov, who was commander of the Northern Fleet submarine forces for several years and has now been appointed by decree of the president of Russia as deputy commander of the Black Sea Fleet, bid farewell to the banner and handed it over to the unit's new commander, Rear Adm. Kovalenko, who previously served as the unit's chief of staff," the statement said.
The handover ceremony was held at the submarine forces' main base, Gadzhiyevo garrison, on Tuesday.
"Rear Adm. Dmitry Smirnov, who served as head of organization and mobilization directorate and a deputy chief of staff in the Northern Fleet, has been appointed by decree of the president of Russia as the new chief of staff of the submarine forces," the statement said.
At the ceremony, Northern Fleet commander Alexander Moiseyev congratulated Kovalenko and Romanov on their appointments while officers and submarine crews marched in a solemn procession to greet the former and bid farewell to the latter.
By presidential decree, the Northern Fleet has been made a de jure military district since January 1, 2021.