Vladimir Kuroyedov

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Vladimir Ivanovich Kuroyedov (Russian: Владимир Иванович Куроедов; born September 5, 1944) is a former long-serving Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy. Earlier he was Chief of Staff of the Baltic Fleet, Deputy Commander of the Pacific Fleet since 1993 and Chief of the Main Staff of the Navy. Kuroyedov graduated in Pacific Higher Naval School, Naval Academy and General Staff Academy.

He was dismissed one day before his 61st birthday, mandatory retirement age for Russian senior officers (though the President can and often does extend their service tenure).

Conflicting views on Kuroyedov's dismissal speculate either that he was fired because he had presided over too many naval embarassments, including the sinking of the Kursk (the Jamestown Foundation) or because the President wished to emphasise the need for greater discipline in the Navy (Bellona Foundation).