[…] After the war on Ukraine started in 2014, Russia has given priority to the strengthening the Pacific Fleet over the Northern Fleet. Five of the new Borei-A class vessels have been sent to the the Far East where the submarines more easily can dive into deeper Pacific waters and hide from US sub hunters in case of escalating tensions.
From the homeport Gadzhievo on the Kola Peninsula, the Northern Fleet’s ballistic missile carriers will have to sail across the shallow Barents Sea for about 24 hours before they can hide under the sea-ice in the deeper Arctic Ocean. In other words, the Northern Fleet’s nuclear deterrence could be more vulnerable than the current Pacific Fleet’s capacities.
The Northern Fleet still have more 3rd generation ballistic missile subs (five Delta-IV) designed during Soviet times than of the newer 4th generation (one Borei- and from today two Borei-A). Läs artikel