The Russian diesel-electric submarine Ufa, part of project 636.3 Varshavyanka, capable of launching Kalibr missiles, has entered the Baltic Sea for live firing exercises, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
On the water, the submarines will carry out ship survivability drills and practice the conditional use of torpedo, mine, and rocket weapons. As part of the planned mission profile, the crew of the submarine will undertake solo voyage elements and perform a deep-sea dive in a designated Baltic Sea region to refine defense and operations under realistic conditions.
During the deep dive, the crew will monitor the operation of all submarine systems and mechanisms, study the decision-making processes, and practice various surfacing techniques required to regain control of the vessel at extreme depths. The exercise emphasizes mastering the submarine’s resiliency and the crew’s ability to respond to evolving tactical scenarios under demanding environmental conditions.
The drills will be supported by the combined efforts of surface combatants, rescue ships, and Baltic Fleet naval aviation crews, ensuring multi-domain coordination and safety during complex maneuvers. Such cooperation underscores the plan to validate integrated command, control, and support networks across different branches of the fleet, as described by defense sources.
Previously, Nikolai Evmenov, who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, discussed future armament programs for Russian submarines, highlighting the potential development and deployment of hypersonic missiles. Evmenov asserted that progress in this direction would proceed without hesitation, indicating a strategic emphasis on advancing propulsion and payload capabilities in parallel with existing systems.