Russia Launches Ulyanovsk Project 885M Yasen-M Submarine

Russia launched the Project 885M Yasen-M nuclear-powered attack submarine K-563 Ulyanovsk on 28 July 2026 at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk. The submarine was laid down on 28 July 2017 and moved from enclosed construction to fitting-out afloat after the launch.

Project 885/885M Class

The Project 885 and Project 885M boats belong to Russia’s fourth-generation multi-role nuclear attack submarine family. The original Project 885 boat is K-560 Severodvinsk, and the Ulyanovsk is the seventh submarine in the wider class and the sixth serial-built Yasen-M boat.

Armament and Design Features

The Yasen-M class carries eight vertical launch modules and ten 533 mm torpedo tubes. Its missile load can include up to 40 Kalibr cruise missiles or 32 Tsirkon hypersonic and Oniks cruise missiles, along with up to 30 heavyweight weapons from the torpedo tubes. The K-563 Ulyanovsk is the second boat of the project, after Perm, built from the outset for integration with Tsirkon hypersonic missiles. The Tsirkon missile is a Russian hypersonic cruise missile that can carry a tactical nuclear warhead.

Operational Role and Service Timeline

The submarine is designed for the Northern Fleet and is expected to enter service with the Russian Navy by December 2027. Its planned trials include mooring trials, factory sea trials, deep-diving tests, navigation and propulsion checks, and weapons trials. The class is used for anti-submarine patrols, anti-surface warfare, intelligence collection, mine deployment, and missile strikes against maritime or land targets. The submarines also support the protection of Russian ballistic missile submarines.

Important Facts for Exams

• Sevmash shipyard is located in Severodvinsk in Russia’s Arkhangelsk Oblast.
• Project 885 is the original Yasen class, while Project 885M is the improved Yasen-M variant.
• Kalibr is a Russian family of cruise missiles used for land-attack and anti-ship roles.
• Tsirkon is a Russian hypersonic cruise missile associated with naval strike missions.

Current Fleet Status

As of mid-2026, Russia operates four Project 885M Yasen-M submarines and one original Project 885 Yasen submarine. Two more Yasen-M submarines, including Ulyanovsk, have been launched, and three additional boats remain under construction.