About Vladimir Masorin
Vladimir Vasilyevich Masorin is a retired Russian admiral of the fleet who was Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy from 2005 to 2007. He was previously the Chief of the Main Staff and First Deputy Commander-in-Chief in 2005, and commanded the Black Sea Fleet from 2002 to 2005 and the Caspian Flotilla from 1996 to 2002. He was commissioned from the Nakhimov Black Sea Higher Naval School in Crimea in 1970, and commanded two destroyers, a destroyer brigade, and a squadron before reaching higher command. Masorin also graduated from the Grechko Naval Academy and the Russian General Staff Academy. As the head of the Russian navy he oversaw increased cooperation with NATO countries, for which he was made a Commander of the Legion of Merit by the United States. In 1983 Masorin became chief of staff of the Northern Fleet's destroyer brigade. On 9 October 2002 Masorin became commander of the Black Sea Fleet and around that time was also promoted to the rank of admiral.
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