SEVERODVINSK, Russia — Russia has completed another milestone in its naval modernization program after the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC)'s Sevmash shipyard rolled out the Ulyanovsk, the latest Project 885M (Yasen-M) class nuclear-powered attack submarine.
The rollout ceremony, held on July 28 at Sevmash in Severodvinsk, marked the completion of the submarine's slipway construction phase. The event was attended by Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev and Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev.
Although the submarine has now left the covered construction hall, it is not yet ready for operational service. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ulyanovsk is scheduled for delivery to the Russian Navy by December 2027 after completing its remaining construction work, testing, and acceptance trials.
Rollout Marks Transition to Testing Phase
Moving the submarine out of the construction hall confirms that its hull and major internal systems have been assembled. The vessel will now enter the fitting-out stage before beginning a comprehensive testing program.
The next phase includes mooring trials, followed by sea trials and state trials. During these tests, engineers and the crew will evaluate the submarine's propulsion system, navigation equipment, weapons integration, deep-diving performance, and overall operational readiness.
The full testing period is expected to last roughly a year or more before the submarine is formally handed over to the Russian Navy.
Once commissioned, Ulyanovsk will become part of Russia's Northern Fleet, which is responsible for operations across the Arctic, the Barents Sea, and the North Atlantic.
Sixth Submarine of the Modernized Yasen-M Series
Ulyanovsk was laid down on 27 July 2017 and is the sixth submarine of the modernized Project 885M (Yasen-M) series.
Five submarines from the broader Yasen and Yasen-M family are already in service:
- Severodvinsk (original Yasen class)
- Kazan
- Novosibirsk
- Krasnoyarsk
- Arkhangelsk
The previous Yasen-M submarine, Perm, launched in 2025 and is currently undergoing trials.
Sevmash remains the only Russian shipyard responsible for constructing the Yasen and Yasen-M class submarines and has built Russia's nuclear submarines for decades.
Multi-Role Nuclear Attack Submarine
The Project 885M Yasen-M is an upgraded version of the original Yasen-class submarine and is designed to perform multiple missions, including:
- Anti-submarine warfare
- Anti-surface warfare
- Long-range land-attack missions
The submarine measures approximately 130 meters in length and has a displacement of around 8,600 tonnes surfaced and 13,800 tonnes submerged.
It is powered by an advanced pressurized water nuclear reactor driving a single-shaft propulsion system, with diesel engines and batteries available as backup power sources. The submarine is designed to operate at depths of approximately 600 meters.
Missile and Torpedo Armament
The Yasen-M class is equipped with an eight-silo vertical launch system (VLS) capable of carrying 32 to 40 missiles.
Its missile load can include:
- Kalibr land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles
- P-800 Oniks anti-ship missiles
- 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missiles (expected)
The submarine also carries 10 angled 533 mm torpedo tubes, positioned amidships rather than in the bow. This arrangement allows space for the large MGK-600 Irtysh-Amfora spherical sonar array in the forward section.
The torpedo tubes are capable of launching heavyweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, and naval mines.
Design Focuses on Reduced Detectability
The Yasen-M design incorporates several measures intended to reduce acoustic and magnetic signatures during underwater operations.
These include the use of low-magnetic steel, natural coolant circulation within the nuclear reactor to reduce machinery noise, and a single-hull design intended to improve stealth.
Part of Russia's Long-Term Fleet Modernization
Russia continues to expand the Yasen-M program as it replaces older Soviet-era attack submarines.
On 17 June 2026, Sevmash laid the keel for the ninth Yasen-M submarine, Murmansk, marking the first new keel laying for the class in six years.
Russia has stated plans to build approximately 10 to 12 Yasen and Yasen-M submarines by 2035 to replace the aging Oscar II, Akula, and Sierra II attack submarine classes.
Next Steps Before Commissioning
While the rollout marks an important construction milestone, Ulyanovsk still has several stages to complete before entering operational service.
Following fitting-out work, the submarine will undergo mooring, sea, and state trials before its planned delivery to the Russian Navy by December 2027. After commissioning, it is expected to strengthen the capabilities of Russia's Northern Fleet as part of the country's ongoing undersea fleet modernization program.
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