Yesterday, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the nuclear-powered submarine Krasnoyarsk had carried out new Kalibr missile launch exercises in the Pacific. During the drill, the submarine successfully struck a coastal target located 1,100 kilometers away at the Kura test range, situated in Kamchatka. This marks a new milestone for the unit, which was commissioned last September alongside the submarine Emperor Alexander III, and is among the most modern platforms in the Russian Navy’s arsenal.
Further details revealed that the Krasnoyarsk stealthily navigated to the designated launch zone in a simulation of a real-life operation. Access to the area was restricted for civilian ships and aircraft during the exercise. The successful launch of the Kalibr missile—known for its long range and terminal speed of Mach 3—underscored the system’s advanced capabilities. While it does not qualify as hypersonic, its speed makes it one of the most difficult-to-intercept weapons in the Russian Navy’s inventory.
In addition, the Krasnoyarsk continued participating in a second phase of the exercise, which simulated anti-submarine warfare. According to the Ministry, the submarine successfully detected and neutralized a simulated enemy submarine, confirmed through telemetry data from the torpedo’s warhead used in the attack.
Finally, it is worth noting that the tests conducted also contribute to the ongoing integration of the Yasen-M class into the Russian Navy, which has been selected to replace the aging Akula- and Oscar-class submarines from the Soviet era. The class includes two variants, with the Yasen-M being the more advanced, developed from the original Yasen or Project 885 design. As part of its submarine modernization plans, Russia intends to incorporate a total of 12 units into its Northern and Pacific Fleets, with Krasnoyarsk being the fourth vessel in the series.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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