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The new Southern Military District is forming a naval unit, the backbone of which will consist of officers from the Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla. AFP The new Southern Military District is forming a naval unit, the backbone of which will consist of officers from the Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla, a source in the Navy Staff told Interfax-AVN.

"Recently representatives from the North Caucasus Military District visited the Black Sea Fleet to study the situation in the force that will be enclosed into the Southern Military District," the source said.

The new district staff will include the naval unit composed mainly of officers from the tactical and combat units of the Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla, he said.

"Currently, candidates are being selected for new positions, submissions have already been prepared to appoint several Black Sea officers. In a month more than 40 staff officers will move out from their state apartments in Sevastopol and will head to Rostov for further service," the source added.

Under the decree issued by President Dmitry Medvedev as of December 1, 2010, the Russian Armed Forces will switch to a new command system: instead of six military districts there will be four joint strategic commands (OSKs). The South OSK will include the North Caucasus Military District, the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla. The headquarters will be located in Rostov-on-Don.