Mikhail Leopoldovich Abramov

Mikhail Leopoldovich Abramov
Born	(1956-07-06) July 6, 1956 Vladivostok, Russia
Occupation	Naval officer
Years active	1978–2009
Known for	Commander of the Northern Fleet (2004–2005); Chief of staff and first deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy (2005–2009)

Mikhail Leopoldovich Abramov (; born 6 July 1956) served as an officer in both the Soviet Navy and the Russian Navy, ultimately reaching the rank of admiral. He led the Northern Fleet from 2004 until 2005 and subsequently held the position of chief of staff and first deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy between 2005 and 2009.

Biography

Abramov was born in Vladivostok into a family with strong naval ties; his father held the rank of captain 1st rank and had extensive command experience, while his mother was employed at a submarine repair facility and also taught at the Pacific Higher Naval School. He completed his studies at the Pacific Higher Naval School in 1978, specializing in electrical engineering. His initial naval roles included serving as weapons post commander aboard the Krivak-class frigate Storozhevoy and leading a mine-torpedo warhead unit.

Progressing through his career, Abramov held positions such as executive officer and commander of the frigate Retivyy from 1984 to 1987. He furthered his education at the Grechko Naval Academy between 1987 and 1989. Following this, he occupied staff roles including chief of staff and deputy commander within anti-submarine brigades. From 1990 to 1995, he commanded the 35th surface ship division, overseeing operations such as a deployment to the Persian Gulf that featured the destroyer Admiral Vinogradov.

He then served as chief of staff and later commander of the Kamchatka Flotilla before attending the Military Academy of the General Staff from 1999 to 2001. Upon graduation, he took command of the Primorskaya Flotilla until mid-2003, after which he was appointed chief of staff and first deputy commander of the Baltic Fleet. In May 2004, Abramov assumed leadership of the strategically important Northern Fleet.

In September 2005, he advanced to become chief of staff and first deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, taking over from Admiral Vladimir Masorin. He maintained this high-ranking role until retiring in June 2009 due to health reasons. His successor was Vice-Admiral Aleksandr Tatarinov.

Throughout his service, Abramov directed numerous extended naval expeditions that helped establish Russia’s maritime presence in various international ports, including those in Vietnam, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan.

Abramov is married and has one son.

Honours and awards

His decorations include the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" fourth class, the Order of Military Merit, along with several additional medals.