Project 885M SSGN Kazan arrives at Zaozyorsk base

The first Project 885M Severodvinsk (Yasen)- class nuclear-powered attack/guided-missile submarine (SSN/SSGN) for the Northern Fleet, Kazan (K 561), has transferred from the White Sea to its permanent basing in Zapadnaya Litsa, in the Murmask Oblast. It arrived at the base on 1 June and joins Project 885 SSGN Severodvinsk in the 11th Submarine Squadron.

A video released by the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 2 June showed the boat arriving to a reception from the Chief of Staff of the Northern Fleet, Rear Admiral Vladimir Vorobyov and other high-ranking navy officers.

Kazan was commissioned on 7 May 2021 but remained in Severodvinsk in the White Sea finalising the complete handover to the fleet. The commissioning was several years behind schedule – originally planned for 2018 – due to numerous technical issues.

This transfer coincides with news reported by Russian news agency TASS on 28 May that the second Project 885M, Novosibirsk , will commence its factory sea trials in June. TASS reported this following information given to the agency by a source within the industry, although there has been no official confirmation on this from the Russian MoD.

Novosibirsk is also considerably behind schedule, having been laid down in July 2013 and launched in December 2019 – the original planned commissioning date. It is destined to join the Pacific Fleet and under current planning will join at the end of 2021/early 2022.

A further five of class are in differing stages of construction. Next to be commissioned is Krasnoyarsk, which will likely be transferred to the Pacific Fleet. Arkhangelsk, Ulyanovsk, and Voronezh are scheduled for the Northern Fleet, while last in class Vladivostok is destined for the Pacific Fleet.