One day after a Russian navy ammunition dump blew up in the Russian Far East, President Boris N. Yeltsin on Saturday unceremoniously fired the navy's commander in chief.
Officials gave no explanation for the removal of Adm. Felix Gromov, 60, who not only lost his post but was dismissed from the navy. In his place, Yeltsin appointed Adm. Vladimir Kuroyedov, 53, who had served as Gromov's first deputy.The explosion at the torpedo and mine depot near Vladivostok, which officials suspect may have been caused by sabotage or an aging torpedo, called attention to the shoddy condition of the once mighty Russian fleet.
In addition, recent corruption investigations initiated by the Kremlin have led to the firings of top military officials in recent months, but there has been no indication that Gromov was also a target.