Aleksandr Tatarinov

Aleksandr Arkadevich Tatarinov (; born 25 October 1950) is a former officer of the Russian Navy. He holds the rank of admiral, and retired in 2016 after serving as First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy.

Tatarinov's service began with the Soviet Navy, after studying at and graduating from the Nakhimov Black Sea Higher Naval School. He entered service with the Baltic Fleet, rising through the ranks to his own commands by 1980. He then went on to several staff appointments, at first with the Baltic Fleet, and then with the Black Sea Fleet, where he served as chief of staff and was promoted to vice-admiral. He was tipped to take command of the fleet in 2002, but was passed over in favour of Vladimir Masorin. When Masorin was appointed to a different post in 2005, Tatarinov took his post as commander of the Black Sea Fleet. His work required considerable diplomatic skill, as he held meetings and negotiations with NATO officials, and representatives of the Ukrainian forces over shared access to Black Sea naval facilities.

On 20 July 2007 Tatarinov was appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, and then chief of staff and First Deputy Commander-in-Chief in 2009, and served in this post for several years. Despite criticism over the navy's response to the 2010 Russian wildfires, Tatarinov played a key role in naval reforms, and trials of the RSM-56 Bulava ballistic missile. He was given special dispensation to continue in service beyond the usual mandatory retirement age of 60, and instead retired at 65. He had received several honours and awards over his period of service.

Early career The Kashin-class destroyer Obraztsovy, Tatarinov's command from 1980. Tatarinov was born on 25 October 1950 in Olovyanninsky District, Chita Oblast, then part of the Russian SFSR of the Soviet Union. He completed his high school studies in 1967, and went to study at the Nakhimov Black Sea Higher Naval School, graduating in 1972.

In October 2011 he met with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Admiral James G. Stavridis to discuss joint anti-piracy measures, and cooperation with Operation Active Endeavour. In October 2010 Dmitry Medvedev took the step of extending Tatarinov's time in service by another year. On 30 January 2012 it was extended by another four years, meaning Tatarinov would retire at the age of 65, rather than the usual mandatory retirement age of 60. This was part of several extensions granted to important figures connected to Russian military reform. Tatarinov was noted as playing a key role in the trials of the RSM-56 Bulava ballistic missile.

Awards and honours Over his career Tatarinov has been awarded the Order of Military Merit, the Order of Naval Merit and the Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" Third Class. On 10 November 2005 he was awarded the Order of Saint Righteous Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy Second Class by Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow, for his "hard work on the revival and establishment of the original spiritual traditions of the Russian military in the Russian Navy".

Tatarinov is married, with two children, a daughter and son.