Russian strategic submarines Imperator Alexander III and Krasnoyarsk join Pacific Fleet after Arctic voyage.

According to information published by Tass on September 25, 2024, two Russian strategic submarines, the Emperor Alexander III and the Krasnoyarsk, have successfully completed their voyage from the Northern Fleet and arrived at the Pacific Fleet's submarine base in Vilyuchinsk.
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Russian Navy's Borei-class submarine Imperator Aleksandr III. (Picture source: Paluba)

The submarines were greeted by Navy Commander-in-Chief Alexander Moiseyev and Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Fradkov, who both praised the crews for their achievement.

The submarines completed a challenging Arctic route, navigating under ice to reach their new deployment. Deputy Defense Minister Fradkov commended the crews for their successful mission, highlighting the significance of the two vessels for Russia's strategic deterrence.

The Emperor Alexander III is a Borey-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) and represents the seventh vessel of Project 955/955A. It carries 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, forming a key part of Russia’s nuclear deterrent. The Krasnoyarsk is a Yasen-class guided missile submarine (SSGN), the fourth of Project 885/885M, equipped with Onyx anti-ship and Kalibr-PL missiles. Both submarines were built at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk.

Russian Pacific Fleet

The Russian Pacific Fleet holds considerable strategic significance for Russia, particularly as the country's global power dynamics shift towards the Indo-Pacific. Historically, the fleet has played a crucial role in maintaining Russia's influence in East Asia and protecting its maritime interests, including its strategic nuclear forces.

A major element of the Pacific Fleet's importance lies in its role in Russia's nuclear deterrent. The fleet is home to several Borei-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), stationed at key bases like Viliuchinsk on the Kamchatka Peninsula. These submarines are equipped with advanced RSM-56 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), which significantly enhance Russia’s second-strike capability in the event of a nuclear conflict. This base, undergoing substantial upgrades to accommodate newer, more advanced submarines like the Borei-A class, is critical for protecting the Sea of Okhotsk—a strategically important "bastion" for Russia's nuclear forces​.

Beyond its nuclear role, the Pacific Fleet is central to Russia's broader geopolitical ambitions in the region. The fleet's modernization has persisted despite the war in Ukraine, with several new nuclear and conventional submarines, such as the Yasen-class, entering service.

Russia's naval partnerships, particularly with China, further elevate the fleet's significance. Joint naval exercises, including high-profile maneuvers like the "Maritime Interaction" drills, showcase Russia's expanding influence in the Pacific and signal a counterbalance to U.S. and allied presence in the region.