Following the flag-raising ceremony for the new nuclear submarines, President Vladimir Putin expressed his appreciation for the submarine cruisers Emperor Alexander III and Krasnoyarsk, noting that the presence of such crews and vessels would bolster Russia’s security. The message came through sources cited by the Telegram channel RIA_Kremlinpool, reflecting the state’s interest in highlighting a strengthened naval posture.
Putin commended the sailors and ships with a succinct wish: With such sailors, such ships, Russia will feel safe. Good luck. The comment underscores the leadership’s emphasis on capable personnel and advanced platforms as central to strategic deterrence.
In mid-December, official announcements indicated that three Borei-A type missile submarines would be transferred to the Russian Navy. This development aligns with Moscow’s ongoing effort to refresh its strategic submarine fleet and expand its undersea deterrent capabilities, reinforcing the country’s maritime power across blue-water and Arctic theaters.
Earlier statements noted that the Project 955A missile submarine Dmitry Donskoy, assigned to the Northern Fleet, was slated for launch in 2025. It was suggested that the ship, currently a nuclear-powered cruiser, would be placed into Sevmash stocks in 2021 and, under the existing contract, delivered to the Northern Fleet for combat service in 2026. This plan reflects the broader modernization trajectory of Russia’s advantaged naval assets, combining legacy hulls with modernized systems to sustain deterrence and power projection.
In April 2023, there was a formal transfer of the cruiser name Peter the Great to a Borey-A class submarine. The reallocation of names within the fleet signals symbolic continuity and the strategic value attached to iconic naval heritage as new platforms enter service.
Additionally, it is known that the Russian armed forces were anticipated to acquire three submarines equipped with Caliber missiles during 2023. This procurement would contribute to expanding the regional and global reach of maritime strike capabilities, reinforcing the versatility of Russia’s underwater forces in respond to evolving security scenarios.