Viktor Sokolov

Viktor Nikolayevich Sokolov (; born 4 April 1962) is an officer of the Russian Navy and former commander of the Black Sea Fleet. He holds the rank of admiral.

In 2016, as deputy commander, Sokolov was in charge of a detachment of the Northern Fleet engaged in operations off the coast of Syria during the Russian intervention there. After several months of operations, Sokolov was thanked for his services by the Chief of the General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov, and returned with the taskforce to the fleet's homebases in Northern Russia. In January 2020 he left his post as deputy commander of the Northern Fleet to take up his new role as head of the N. G. Kuznetsov Naval Academy. In August 2022 during the Russo-Ukrainian war, he was appointed to command the Black Sea Fleet. In 2024, Vice Admiral Sergey Pinchuk replaced him as commander of the Black Sea Fleet.

Sokolov has not been seen since Ukraine claimed his death on 22 September 2023 when the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea, was hit by Storm Shadow cruise missiles fired by Ukraine in Operation Crab Trap. The Russian government denied that he had been killed and published a video purporting to show him still alive. In 2024, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sokolov, citing his alleged war crimes during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Early life and service Sokolov was born on 4 April 1962 in Bender (Tighina), in the Moldavian SSR of the Soviet Union (now Moldova, under Transnistrian control). He entered the M.V. Frunze Higher Naval School in Leningrad on 1 August 1980, and graduated on 30 June 1985. His first assignment was with the Pacific Fleet as commander of the mine-torpedo warfare department of the Riga-class frigate SKR-61 from August 1985 to August 1987, followed by a posting as commander of the same department on the Natya-class minesweeper Yakor from August 1987 to October 1989. In that month he moved to command the mine-torpedo warfare department on the Sonya-class minesweeper BT-51, where he remained until December 1990. Sokolov's next posts were as assistant commander of his former vessel Yakor from December 1990 to December 1991, and then as commander of the Yakors sistership Zaryad from September 1992 until September 1993. The battlegroup left Severomorsk on 15 October 2016. On 15 November 2016 the Russian military leadership announced that the Admiral Kuznetsovs air wing had seen its first-ever combat use, during the military operations in Syria.

In September 2018 Sokolov took a leading role in the Ocean Shield exercises, which for the first time in Russia's modern history were held in the Mediterranean Sea. All four Russian fleets, as well as the Caspian Flotilla, were represented by a total of 25 ships and vessels, including two submarines, with more than three dozen aircraft and helicopters.

Head of Naval Academy (2020–2022) After his stint as deputy commander of the Northern Fleet, he was appointed head of the N. G. Kuznetsov Naval Academy on 17 January 2020.

Sokolov was promoted to the rank of admiral on 6 June 2023.

Operation Crab Trap and claimed death On 22 September 2023, Ukraine claimed that Sokolov, and many other officers, were killed at a meeting when the Black Sea Fleet HQ at Sevastopol, Crimea was hit by Storm Shadows cruise missiles fired by Ukraine in what was referred to as Operation Crab Trap.

Following these claims, Sokolov was shown on Russian state television attending a defence leaders' meeting remotely the day after the attack. The Russian government stated that they had received no information on Sokolov's death. The BBC reported on 27 September that it was unable to verify whether the meeting was held on the date of the attack, or whether the image of Sokolov on television was later than the attack. Following the Russian denial, Ukraine modified their claim, saying that it came from "open sources". On 27 September two other videos featuring Sokolov were published by Russian media. According to Radio Free Europe journalist Mark Krutov a second award ceremony for the football team was held on 27 September, this time attended by Sokolov.

Replacement On 15 February 2024, prominent Russian telegram channels including Rybar reported that Sokolov had been replaced as commander of the Black Sea Fleet. Under Sokolov, a significant portion of the Black Sea Fleet had been destroyed by Ukraine, including the large landing ship Tsezar Kunikov on 14 February. The Russian milbloggers speculated that the replacement was due to these losses. Vice Admiral Sergey Pinchuk was expected to take over command of the Black Sea Fleet. On 2 April 2024, Sergei Pinchuk was appointed as commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

ICC arrest warrant

On 5 March 2024, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sokolov as part of its Ukraine investigation, citing his alleged war crimes of directing attacks at civilian objects, causing excessive incidental harm to civilians or damage to civilian objects and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, all under the Rome Statute. A similar warrant was issued against Sergey Kobylash.

Awards and family Sokolov was awarded the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" Fourth Class with Swords, the Order of Nakhimov, the Order of Military Merit and the Order of Naval Merit. He is married, with three sons.