The upcoming flag raising ceremony is scheduled for November 28 in St. Petersburg and will mark a milestone for the Mozhaisk, a large diesel-electric submarine that was constructed in St. Petersburg before joining the Pacific Fleet. This event was reported by RIA News and is expected to be observed with formal military precision and public attention.
According to the report, on November 28, 2023, a solemn ceremony will take place to hoist the Russian Naval Flag aboard the Mozhaisk, a Project 636 Varshavyanka submarine. The event is set to occur at Admiralty Shipyards JSC and will be part of a broader showcase of naval capabilities, underscoring the shipyard’s role in delivering modern submarines to the fleet. The coverage notes that this milestone follows extensive testing, sea trials, and final outfitting prior to deployment with strategic repercussions for maritime operations in the region [Attribution: RIA News].
Mozhaisk, associated with St. Petersburg as its place of construction, represents the fifth vessel in a six-submarine series built for the Russian Pacific Fleet at Admiralty Shipyards. Earlier launched vessels in the same class include Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Volkhov, Magadan, Ufa, and Mozhaisk, while Yakutsk continues to operate within the fleet. The sequence demonstrates a deliberate expansion and modernization of submarine capabilities over a period of production that reflects the navy’s long-term strategic planning.
The contract underpinning their construction was signed in September 2016, signaling a substantial investment in underwater warfare capabilities. Project 636 Varshavyanka submarines are widely used by multiple nations, with variants in service in Russia, China, Algeria, and Vietnam. The Russian version is categorized as a third-generation design, displacing roughly 4,000 tons, and achieving a swimming speed of about 18 knots when diving to depths around 300 meters. The typical crew complements around 52 personnel, with cruise durations extending to roughly 45 days and an operational range reaching up to 7,500 miles. The platform is equipped with the Kalibr cruise missile system and conventional torpedoes, reinforcing its multi-maceted role in sea denial and regional deterrence. Their quiet performance and stealth features have earned them the nickname Black Holes among NATO analysts, underscoring the strategic emphasis on concealment and survivability in modern submarine warfare.
In late 2023, the Russian military announced the delivery and readiness of three submarines armed with cruise missiles under a broader procurement program. This development aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen the navy’s deterrent posture and extend its regional presence. The announcements reflect a continuing push toward expanding the reach of long-range maritime forces and integrating new platforms into the existing strategic framework.
Earlier communications indicated that a nuclear-powered submarine, Arkhangelsk, would be activated in the near term as part of a wider modernization plan. In related remarks, the leadership has stressed that a growing share of modern ships is essential to maintaining a balanced triad of strategic weapons across land, air, and sea domains. The latest updates illustrate a sustained emphasis on enhancing naval breadth and depth while coordinating with broader defense objectives.
Overall, the forthcoming Mozhaisk ceremony underscores a continuing trajectory of naval modernization and fleet expansion, signaling intent to bolster maritime capability and readiness in the region. The event, reported by RIA News, is expected to attract attention from defense observers and international analysts who monitor submarine development, fleet integration, and deterrence dynamics in the contemporary security landscape with a focus on Russian naval strategy and operational participation in the Pacific Fleet [Attribution: RIA News].