Russia’s Navy Is Attempting a Major ‘Comeback’

Key Points and Summary: Russia’s navy is rebuilding despite losses and challenges from the Ukraine war. Recent developments include the commissioning of the Yasen-class Arkhangelsk submarine, armed with Tsirkon hypersonic missiles, and the launch of Arctic patrol ships like the Nikolai Zubov.

-New corvettes, such as the Karakurt-class Tucha, aim to strengthen Russia’s Black Sea presence. Additionally, the nuclear-powered icebreaker Yakutiya highlights Moscow’s ambitions in the Arctic.

-While Russia lacks blue-water capabilities and suffers from operational vulnerabilities, its naval modernization reflects efforts to project regional power and secure strategic Arctic interests.

-The navy remains a critical component of Putin’s defense strategy.

Russia’s Navy Rebuilds: New Submarines and Ships Amidst Challenges

For decades, even centuries, the Russian and Soviet empires were known for their land forces. Russia has a disadvantageous location on the map, and it has often lived in a dangerous neighborhood where it has been invaded repeatedly. The navy has often played second fiddle to the army. 

The Russian Navy currently does not even have a functioning aircraft carrier. The Black Sea fleet has not been much of a factor during the war in Ukraine, and its vaunted guided missile cruiser, the Moskva flagship, was sunk by the Ukrainians in 2022.

The army and air force continue to struggle in Ukraine. Fighter jets are dropping like flies, destroying thousands of tanks.

 One would think that defense budgets would be focused on the Army and air force to replace weapons systems and airplanes.

The Russian Navy Is Getting a Boost

But there is hope for Vladimir Putin’s maritime branch.

 It appears that the Navy is getting a shot in the arm. 

Putin and his admirals are ordering more ships and submarines, which are being delivered now and into the future. 

The navy is still playing a limited role in Ukraine. Putin’s ships are firing land-attack Kalibr cruise missiles and other types of ballistic missiles against Volodymyr Zelensky’s cities and military targets.

It’s the Yasen-class Submarine that is the Biggest Star

Meanwhile, the Russian navy is excited about its new fast-attack missile submarine.

 The Yasen-class Arkhangelsk was commissioned to much fanfare in Severodvinsk on December 27. This is the fourth Yasen-M SSGN sub. 

Arkhangelsk will also be patrolling with the Northern Fleet and gathering intel in the Arctic. The Yasen-class features the Tsirkon hypersonic anti-ship missiles. 

These boats can fire anti-ship missiles and Kalibr cruise missiles, too.

Russian Corvettes Are Small But Useful

The Russians welcomed a corvette-type small missile-carrying ship called the Tucha at last month’s ceremony in the Caspian Sea.

The flag-raising event happened at a base in the Caspian Sea, but the Karakurt-class Tucha will be deployed to the Black Sea for operations against Ukraine.

Russia is currently building nine Karakurt-class corvettes, which will help the Russian navy shoot down incoming missiles and enemy drones in the Black Sea. 

The navy has six other Karakurt-class ships in service that could be moved outside Ukraine, but three are currently with the Baltic fleet, and one is with the Caspian Flotilla. Two are in the Black Sea. A Karakurt-class, the Tsiklon, was blown up last May by an ATACMS missile fired by the Ukrainians, so these ships are still vulnerable.

Another type of small missile ship, the Buyan M-class, is active in the Russian navy. The Stavropol completed sea trials in the Baltic Sea recently, and 11 other Buyan M-class ships are located in different areas of operation. 

Don’t Forget the Arctic That Gets Overshadowed by Ukraine and the Black Sea

Russia loves playing in the Arctic for strategic reasons, as it has territorial claims and bases. 

That’s why the maritime branch built an Arctic patrol ship called the Nikolai Zubov. This was launched on December 25 in the Admiralty Shipyards of St. Petersburg. 

“These patrol vessels are intended for the Northern Fleet. They will be used to monitor the Arctic waters of the Russian Federation, detain ships for violations, supply ships, transport cargo, and participate in search and rescue operations. They have hull reinforcements and can operate in ice 1.7 meters thick, according to NavalNews.com.

The ships have a helipad and only a few guns for self-defense, but they are another way Russia is projecting power in the Arctic.

Another curious ship called the Yakutiya just had a flag-raising event in St. Petersburg. This is a nuclear-powered ice breaker that can clear a path in the Arctic or other icy areas of operation. The Yakutiya is one of the world’s largest icebreakers; nuclear power allows it to stay at sea for long periods.

Has the Russian Navy Made a Comeback?

As you can gather, the Russian navy has been busy lately. The corvettes are small but can provide an anti-missile and anti-aircraft screen for frigates and cruisers. The ships for the Arctic will enable better freedom of movement and improved sea lines of communication in the region.

But it is the Yasen-class that I am most concerned about. This submarine is powerful and comes chock full of missiles. This new sub of the Yasen-class will run extremely silent and help support boomer subs for Russia’s still formidable nuclear triad.

So, Russia’s navy is not giving up the fight to the Ukrainians or any adversarial NATO member, including the United States. You could call this a comeback and a testament to Russian shipbuilding that has not taken a break despite the war. Russia is down but not out. 

The frigate Admiral Makarov of the Russian Baltic Fleet anchored at Saint Petersburg.

The navy is bustling with activity. It may be a regional fleet without an active aircraft carrier with no Blue Water capabilities. However, Putin still wants Russia to dominate its region and win the race in the Arctic for strategic control. 

We will monitor this fleet to see if Moscow can continue delivering new ships and where they operate. The Russian navy is alive and kicking. Putin and his admirals couldn’t be happier with this military branch.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.