You're reading: Hydrographic Service building in Sevastopol could be returned to Russian fleet

MOSCOW - The building in Sevastopol from which the Hydrographic Service of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was evicted in August on demands from the southern branch of Slavyanka company could be returned to its previous owners within the next few months, a Russian General Staff source told Interfax-AVN on Thursday.

“There are immediate plans to return the building, which has belonged to the Hydrographic Service since 1947, to its rightful owners. It has been admitted that its current placement in one of the corridors of the Naval Aviation headquarters does not allow the service to function normally,” he said.

In June, the Russian Armed Forces General Staff gave the Black Sea Fleet command until August 1 to vacate the “commander’s house” and the Hydrographic Service building, he said.

The southern branch of Slavyanka company, the Russian Defense Ministry’s contractor, insisted on it, he said.

“Justice was restored” largely thanks to the recent events surrounding Slavyanka and military contractor Oboronservice, the source said.

“The Hydrographic Service building and “the commander’s house” are located on the Central City Hill, Sevastopol’s landmark, placed near St. Vladimir’s Cathedral and the Black Sea Fleet headquarters, which eventually determined their fate,” the source said.

The 115th commandant’s office of the Russian Black Sea Fleet has been appointed to guard the buildings for the period of their maintenance, which, however, is not envisioned in the plans of either the Naval Engineering Service or the Black Sea Fleet for the next few years, he said.