KRASNOZNAMENSK, Moscow Region. March 15 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov introduced Lieutenant General Vladimir Popovkin, the new commander of the Space Forces, to his subordinates on Monday.
"Vladimir Alexandrovich is well-known in the Space Forces and the Armed Forces as a military expert with advanced professional skills," Ivanov said while introducing the general at the Titov Main Spacecraft Testing and Control Center in Krasnoznamensk.
"From now on, he will assume full responsibility for the situation in the Space Forces, their further development in the interests of improving the Armed Forces combat readiness and strengthening Russia's defense and economic potential," the minister said.
He noted that Popovkin, who was chief-of-staff of the Space Forces from June 2001, was appointed as commander by President Vladimir Putin on March 10.
The same presidential order finished the service with the Armed Forces of Colonel General Anatoly Perminov, former commander of the Space Forces.
"It is largely thanks to Colonel General Perminov's efforts that the Space Forces are currently accomplishing a broad range of missions in the interests of national security, domestic science and economy, and international space cooperation," Ivanov said.
"I am sure that professionalism, experience and organizing talents of Anatoly Perminov will be a reliable guarantee of his successful activity as the chief of the Federal Space Agency, a new high and crucial state position," he said.