Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has dismissed Serhiy Haiduk from the post of commander of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The president signed relevant decree No. 161/2016 on Friday, the press service of the head of state reported.

A number of media outlets had reported in early April that Poroshenko had dismissed Haiduk, and appointed in his stead Lt. Gen. Ihor Voronchenko, a former deputy Navy commander for coastal defense, who took part in the special operation in Donbas.

However, Ukrainian Navy press secretary Cap. 1st Rank Oleh Chubuk denied these reports on April 4.

Haiduk has served as Naval Forces commander since March 7, 2014.