Viktor Chirkov
Viktor V. Chirkov | |
|---|---|
 2015 | |
| Native name | Виктор Викторович Чирков |
| Born | September 8, 1959 Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union (now Almaty, Kazakhstan) |
| Allegiance |  Soviet Union Russia |
| Service |  Russian Navy |
| Years of service | 1977-2016 |
| Rank |  Admiral |
| Commands | |
Viktor Viktorovich Chirkov (Template:Lang-ru; born September 8, 1959, in Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR)[1] is a Russian admiral and the former commander of the Baltic Fleet. On 6 May 2012, he was appointed the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, succeeding Vladimir Vysotsky, who had occupied the post for almost five years.[2][3] He retired from his position due to the health reasons in March 2016.[4]
Military career
Chirkov is a surface warfare officer with Pacific Fleet roots. He was born on 8th September, 1959 in Alma-Ata, capital of the former Kazakh SSR. In 1982, he graduated from the Pcaific S.O. Makarov Higher Naval School in Vladivostok and became head of the mine-torpedo department on old Riga-class frigate Lun in the Pacific Fleet.[1] He served as assistant commander of a corvette, then executive officer of Kotlin-class destroyer Vozbuzhdennyy.[1]
In 1986-1987, Chirkov completed Higher Special Officers’ Classes in Leningrad, and became commander of the infamous Krivak-class frigate Storozhevoy. Under a mutinous crew, this Soviet Baltic Fleet unit tried, unsuccessfully, to defect in 1975. Later it transferred to the Pacific Fleet.
From 1990 to 1993, Chirkov commanded Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Spiridonov.[1] He was deputy chief of staff for an ASW ship division, deputy division commander, and commander of an ASW ship division during 1993-1998. In 1997, he completed the Kuznetsov Naval Academy as a correspondence student.
After graduating from the Military Academy of the General Staff in 2000, Chirkov served for five years as chief of staff, first deputy commander of Troops and Forces in the North-East on Kamchatka.[1] In the first years of this assignment, he served under Vice-Admiral Sidenko.
In 2005-2007, he commanded the Primorskiy Mixed Forces Flotilla. For the next two years, he was chief of staff, first deputy commander of the Baltic Fleet, and became its commander in September 2009.
Since 2007, he was the Chief of Staff/First Deputy Commander of the Baltic Fleet, and appointed Fleet Commander by the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev on 8 September 2009.[1]
On 6 May 2012, President Dmitry Medvedev on his last day in office prior to the inauguration of Vladimir Putin appointed Chirkov to replace Vladimir Vysotskiy as the Russian Navy's Commander-in-Chief. In an interview with news agency RIA Novosti, Chirkov said:
"The most important thing for Russia is to build a fleet with the support of the president and like-minded persons."[2]
Retirement
In March 2016, Russian media announced Chirkov's retirement due to the health reason. It is expected that his successor will be Vladimir Korolev, the current commander of the Northern Fleet. [4]
Awards
Order of Military Merit
Order of Naval Merit
Order for Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR III- class
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Viktor Chirkov". Ministry of Defence. Mil.ru. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
- ^ a b "Medvedev Replaces Russian Navy Commander". RIA Novosti. En.rian.ru. 6 May 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ Cook, Brad (6 May 2012). "Medvedev Names Russian Navy, Air Force Heads on Last Kremlin Day". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ a b "В Минобороны подтвердили увольнение главкома ВМФ адмирала Чиркова". Lenta.ru. 14 March 2016.