RU Project 885

“Ash” or “Ash-M”?

Since the DIMC of the Ministry of Defense and the press services of the fleets have a bad habit of hiding the names of submarines (especially nuclear-powered ones) in their messages, it is often necessary to be observant in order to distinguish one boat from another.

The last “personalized” message known to the author, concerning “Severodvinsk”, the only APKR based on Project 885, is dated August 18, 2022, when the cruiser returned home from Kronstadt (with GVMP).

However, on September 21 this year. In the video dedicated to the training of helicopter pilots of the Northern Fleet to transfer medicines on board an unnamed nuclear submarine at sea, the characteristic silhouette of “Ash” flashed. In addition to the Severodvinsk, it could be one of the 885Ms – the combatant Kazan or the Krasnoyarsk undergoing testing.

The “entrance” door on the OVU on the starboard side, which, although unclear, is visible in the frame starting at 01:20, helped identify the boat. On the Severodvinsk, as in the video, the door is located closer to the middle of the OVU (left photo), while on the Yasen-M it is noticeably shifted towards the bow.

08/18/2022 (21:20)

Nuclear submarines of the Northern Fleet that took part in the Main Naval Parade returned to their bases



The nuclear submarines of the Northern Fleet “Severodvinsk” and “Vepr”, which took part in the Main Naval Parade dedicated to the Russian Navy Day at the Great Kronstadt Roadstead, arrived at their permanent bases on the Kola Peninsula.

The submariners carried out the inter-naval transition from the Gulf of Finland to the Barents Sea both in surface and submerged positions, plunging after passing through the Baltic Straits in strict accordance with international maritime law.

Along the way to the north, the crews of nuclear submarines worked out a number of planned tasks provided for in the combat training course, improving their coordination and naval training.

After a short rest, the crews of the nuclear submarines Severodvinsk and Vepr will continue to carry out their assigned tasks at sea for their main purpose.