Russian Black Sea Fleet Deputy Commander Killed in Mariupol Attack... Sixth General Officer Dead

[Image source=Russian Ministry of Defense]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The deputy commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was killed during the attack on Mariupol, a major battleground in the Ukraine war. As a result, the Russian military has lost six general-level commanders since the start of the war, leading to declining troop morale, confusion in the command structure, and increasing desertion among soldiers at the front lines.

On the 20th (local time), according to AFP, Mikhail Razvozhaev, governor of Sevastopol, Russia, announced via Telegram that Andrey Paly, deputy commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, died during the battle of Mariupol. Sevastopol Senator Yekaterina Altabeva also stated on Telegram, "Commander Paly died in the battle to liberate Mariupol. Sevastopol has suffered an irreparable great loss."

This marks the sixth death of a general-level commander in the Russian military. Until now, the deceased commanders were army officers, but this is the first death among naval commanders. Deputy Commander Paly, who had served in the navy since 1993, held positions as deputy commander of the Baltic Fleet, deputy commander of the Black Sea Fleet, and deputy commander of the Russian forces stationed in Syria. He was reportedly about to be promoted to navy admiral.

Before Deputy Commander Paly, five Russian general-level commanders had already lost their lives on the Ukrainian front. So far, it is known that Andrey Sukhovetsky, commander of the 7th Airborne Division and deputy commander of the 41st Combined Arms Army; Major General Vitaly Gerasimov; Major General Andrey Kolesnikov of the 29th Army; Lieutenant General Oleg Mityaev; and Lieutenant General Andrey Mordvichev, commander of the 8th Guards Army, were killed.

With the consecutive deaths of general-level commanders, the Russian military is greatly shaken. Along with confusion in the command system, collective insubordination and desertion at the front lines are reportedly occurring frequently. Some units are evaluated to have completely lost their combat capability due to severely lowered morale.

The U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW), citing a report from Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), stated, "According to the Ukrainian General Staff, some soldiers of the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s naval brigade deserted the front lines due to insubordination, and newly reinforced airborne units are conducting operations. Existing Russian units continuing the Kyiv offensive have lost more than 90% of their personnel in severe cases and have lost their will to fight."