MOSCOW. Dec 28 (Interfax-AVN) - Vice Admiral Oleg Burtsev has been appointed first deputy chief of staff of the Russian Navy, a competent military source in Moscow told Interfax-Military News Agency Tuesday.
Burtsev will replace retired Vice Admiral Vladislav Ilyin in the position.
Before 2002, Burtsev was in charge of the Northern Fleet's first flotilla of nuclear submarines. Then he was promoted to deputy chief of staff of the Russian Navy.
Interfax-AVN earlier reported that the Navy leadership had made a decision to recommend Admiral Viktor Fyodorov, Pacific Fleet commander, as a candidate to the post of Navy chief of staff.
Admiral Viktor Kravchenko who is currently in office of the Russian Navy Staff will retire soon, as he reached 61 years of age on December 5.
The source recalled that Admiral Vladimir Masorin, Black Sea Fleet Commander, was a likely successor to him earlier. However, the candidacy was not approved by the Navy Council.
The vacant post of the Pacific Fleet commander may be occupied by Vice Admiral Alexander Tatarinov, currently the Black Sea Fleet chief of staff, the source said.
An officer of the Russian Armed Forces who has the rank of vice admiral/lieutenant general may remain in office till he reaches 55 years of age, and 60 years of age if his rank is admiral/colonel general.