VLADIMIR CHERNAVIN was born in Nikolayev, Ukraine and after normal schooling, attended the Frunze Higher Naval School in Leningrad then went into the Soviet Submarine Service.

He was XO of a submarine in 1951 then was given command of the November Class submarine K-21 in 1959.

From 1962 through 1965 he attended the Naval Academy and the General Staff Academy 1967 through 1969. Upon completion, he became Commander of the submarine flotillas of the Northern Fleet.

In 1977 he was appointed Commander of the Northern Fleet then from 1981 through 1985 he was Chief of the Main Staff and 1st Deputy Commander in Chief of the Soviet Navy.

He shortly became Commander in Chief of the Soviet Navy.

He was decorated with:

• Hero of the Soviet Union
• Order of Lenin (twice)
• Order of the October Revolution
• Order of the Red Banner
• Order of the Red Star (twice)

When our Sharkhunters group was ‘on patrol’ in Russia in 1992, we flew aboard Admiral CHERNAVIN‘s personal plane from St. Petersburg to Kaliningrad (formerly Königsberg).

Later, when we came to Moscow, he joined our group, seen here wearing his Sharkhunters cap. Next to him is ANATOLIY SMAL (2073-1991), Soviet Intelligence Chief.

Fleet Admiral CHERNAVIN served ten years on our Sharkhunters Advisory Board and you can see the Board Members by clicking here TO THE ADVISORS PAGE