Barents Observer – Russia’s war economy is under increasing strain, but construction of the Navy’s advanced nuclear-powered submarines continues unabated.

Asia Times – Amur-1650 reflects Russia’s buoyant sub export ambitions, but turning offers into real contracts and ships will be a rough ride

(Thanks to Alain)

7Sur7 – While the Kremlin’s ghost oil tankers avoid the English Channel for fear of being intercepted by the British, the French or the Belgians, an investigation shows the growing presence of armed men on board. These mercenaries, often linked to the Wagner Group, could well be there to intimidate the Western Coast Guard. It is difficult to say, however, if they would dare to open fire.

(In French) (Thanks to Alain)

Dossier Center – Russian ships continue to be built on equipment from Europe and the United States, despite sanctions and an official ban on supplies. In 2025, Vladimir Putin said that over the past five years Russia has built 49 warships of various classes. The Dossier Center and the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper found out how critical Western equipment, without which it is impossible to build a modern ship, still ends up in Russian shipyards. We talked to experts in the field of shipbuilding, employees of supply companies and studied financial documents that show that despite the rules and procedures, European and American manufacturers cannot control where their products are ultimately sent.

(In Russian) (Thanks to Alain)

Covert Shores – Free world nations in Western Europe should rapidly deploy a small but dispersed force of ship-killing uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) to monitor Russian naval activity off Western Europe.

Barents Observer – Ukrainian drones have destroyed two Russian Navy long-range aircraft, including a specialised Tu-142MR strategic communications-relay aircraft that plays a key role in maintaining contact with Russia’s nuclear-armed submarines.

RUSI – Classified Russian government document revelations add to concerns that the adversarial nation’s undersea threat is both acute and invested towards a further-reaching campaign.

Naval News – Despite being thousands of miles from the war in Ukraine, Russia’s strategic submarine base at Rybachiy in the Pacific is now showing signs of heightened defenses. New satellite imagery reveals anti-drone protections around nuclear submarines, suggesting Russian commanders fear that Ukrainian surprise attacks threaten even their most remote naval assets.

USNI News – A 10-ship Russian convoy transited Japan’s Tsushima Strait to enter the East China Sea over the weekend, according to Japan’s Joint Staff Office.

The War Zone – A recent development in the Black Sea drone war has seen a Russian Navy patrol boat appear with a screen, commonly known as a “cope cage,” on top of its superstructure to help protect against drones. Whether the modification is a one-off or part of a broader plan, it emphasizes the growing ubiquity of drone threats, a reality that the U.S. Navy is also increasingly having to contend with.

EuroMaidan – Russia planned a major campaign in 2026 involving the use of naval drones. But these plans collapsed after SpaceX, at Kyiv’s request, blocked Russian access to Starlink satellite communications, says advisor to Ukraine’s Defense Minister Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov.

War on the Rocks – By effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has demonstrated that a chokepoint vital for global trade can be closed with drone attacks, insurance repricing, and the self-interested logic of shipping companies. The lesson for Europe is immediate: Russia could employ the same mechanism to close key maritime chokepoints at the Danish or Turkish Straits.

Covert Shores – Russia is investing heavily in a new generation of “super weapons” designed to bypass and potentially nullify conventional defenses. Foremost among them is Poseidon, an autonomous, nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed underwater weapon with effectively intercontinental range. Details about its newest dedicated carrier submarine, Khabarovsk, are only gradually coming into focus.

Forces News – When you hear about Russian subs and warships in UK waters, spying on data cables or testing UK defences, they are probably part of GUGI – the Russian acronym for the Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research. Since the end of the Cold War, GUGI has avoided the defence cuts imposed elsewhere, allowing them to pour millions into submarine development. They are effectively Russia’s Special Forces of the sea, who are capable of carrying out extreme deep sea operations.

RUSI – International pressure on flag registries has pushed part of Russia’s shadow fleet directly under Russian registration, potentially exposing news limits of sanctions enforcement.

Defence Security Asia – Capable of diving beyond 550 meters, evading Magnetic Anomaly Detection, and hunting America’s Ohio-class nuclear submarines, Russia’s Sierra-class attack subs remain one of NATO’s most dangerous undersea nightmares.

Covert Shores –  Two Russian Navy KILO Class submarines have been photographed in Kronstadt, the naval base in St Petersburg. The photo reveals details of their anti-drone (aerial drones – UAVs and surface drones – USVs) defences.

Naval News – On paper, the Russian Navy remains the dominant force in the Black Sea. But after ceding control to Ukraine’s uncrewed surface drones, it now faces a mounting crisis: its key base at Novorossiysk is increasingly untenable, unless Moscow is willing to absorb further warship losses.

Barents Observer – The manoeuvres of Russian fishing vessels in northern Norwegian waters are blurring the line between seeking shelter from bad weather and potential intelligence-gathering.

United 24 – Russia has modified one of its Ministry of Defense research vessels with visible anti-drone protections in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, highlighting growing concerns over Ukrainian unmanned attacks at sea.

(Thanks to Alain)

The Barents Observer – Karelia is the submarine on which Vladimir Putin – then acting president – spent a night at a depth of 50 metres in the Barents Sea in April 2000. Now upgraded, the vessel is preparing for deterrence patrols and is expected to remain in service until 2038.

Naval News – At around 28,000 tons Russia’s Kirov-class is the largest and most heavily armed surface combatant in the World. One of these Soviet-era steel titans, Admiral Nakhimov, has recently emerged from a decade-long and hugely expensive modernization, ready to take her place as the pride of the modern Russian Navy. Yet in the meantime drone warfare, like we are seeing the Black Sea, is challenging this investment. But the money has already been spent.

CIMSEC – NATO should not underestimate Russia’s strategic brown water capabilities. The same applies to Japan and South Korea in the event that Moscow, contrary to current indications, intends to use the Amur as a launch area to defend the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk. Therefore, it is essential to prepare doctrinally, enhance surveillance techniques, and develop effective countermeasures. This will require more unconventional thinking—for example, the dropping of sea mines, USVs and UUVs from the air or the arming of partisans with portable anti-ship missiles such as the Swedish RBS-17. New doctrine and capabilities can effectively account for this important yet underappreciated dimension of Russian naval influence.

Army Recognition – According to Izvestia, Russia’s Project 09851 nuclear-powered submarine Khabarovsk could begin sea trials in 2026 following completion of outfitting work at the Sevmash shipyard. Designed as a dedicated carrier for the Poseidon nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle, the Khabarovsk was launched in November 2025 and has since entered mooring test preparations.

(Thanks to Alain)

The War Zone – There are longstanding rumors that the Project 23700 class ship may have a secondary function as a luxurious leisure vessel.