Russian Military Reforms Command Structure

Russia's military is using compass points as the basis of its new command structure.

The creation of four unified strategic commands to replace four military districts as part of Russia's military reform has been completed ahead of schedule, Defense Minster Anatoly Serdyukov said on Friday.

President Dmitry Medvedev set the original date for December 1, Serdyukov said.

There were six military districts prior to the reform.

"We finished the work just last week," he added.

Command West, with headquarters in Moscow, will control all military personnel and hardware in the Western Military District. The new district will incorporate the former Moscow and Leningrad military districts and the Baltic and Northern Fleets.

Command South, with headquarters in Rostov, will be in charge of the Southern Military District, which will include the former North Caucasian Military District and the Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla.

Command Center, with headquarters in Yekaterinburg, will control the Central Military District, including the former Volga-Urals Military District and the western part of the Siberian Military District.

Finally, Command East, with headquarters in Khabarovsk, will have command over the Pacific Fleet, the Far Eastern Military District and the larger part of the Siberian Military District.

By: Shelldrake