Russian President Vladimir Putin sacked navy chief Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov on Sunday at a time when the military is facing criticism over its handling of a mini-submarine accident last month. The Kremlin said Putin had appointed Admiral Vladimir Masorin as the new navy head.
Last month, seven Russian sailors were freed with British help after three days trapped in an AS-28 rescue mini-submarine 600 feet down in the Pacific with dwindling air supplies.
Some critics asked why the Russian navy did not have the rescue equipment to hand to match the navies of NATO countries.