Nuclear-powered icebreaker submarine from Russia, stationed near Norway, now operational
The Russian nuclear submarine Knyaz Pozharsky officially joined the ranks of the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet on July 24, 2025. The modernized Borei-A (Project 955A) class vessel, equipped with 16 RSM-56 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missiles, was commissioned in a ceremony attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin at its home base in Gadzhievo, Murmansk Oblast.
The Knyaz Pozharsky, named after a 17th-century Russian military leader, is a significant addition to Russia's strategic nuclear deterrent. Its state-of-the-art features, including design enhancements for greater stealth and missile launch system improvements, set it apart from earlier Borei submarines.
However, the submarine's entry into service has raised concerns in Ukraine, a country embroiled in ongoing hostilities with Russia. Ukrainian intelligence reportedly obtained classified information on the submarine's design, capabilities, and technical limitations through cyber operations. This intelligence provides valuable insights into Russia's undersea nuclear capabilities, which are integral to Moscow’s military posture, including in the context of the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials emphasize that the information reveals vulnerabilities not just in Knyaz Pozharsky but across the Borei-A class submarines. This revelation challenges Russia’s narrative of invincibility and aims to undermine Russian military confidence.
Meanwhile, other developments continue to shape the geopolitical landscape. NATO is considering the possibility of stationing a German-Dutch Allied Forces command in Estonia. Armenia will conduct joint military exercises with the United States from August 12 to 20, while Russia is reportedly preparing to intensify its drone warfare and aiming to ramp up production this year.
In Ukraine, the Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) and partisan units in Russian-occupied Melitopol claimed to have killed five fighters from the Chechen Achmat unit. The Ukrainian Air Force is also developing a 20-year air force strategy, with the goal of having an air force that is de facto part of NATO forces and one of the strongest in Europe.
Elsewhere, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team observed explosions and smoke at the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, originating from a nearby auxiliary facility that was reportedly attacked. The incident underscores the ongoing risks and tensions in the region.
In the midst of these developments, Ukraine and Russia are currently organizing an exchange of 1,200 prisoners of war each, a small step towards de-escalation in the conflict. The trial for the deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall is set to begin on Monday, while more than 120 firefighters are battling a fire in Sochi, Russia, that started at an oil depot in the city.
As the world watches these events unfold, it is clear that the geopolitical landscape remains dynamic and complex, with tensions running high in various regions.
- Amidst the emission of smoke at the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the ongoing hostilities, there are calls for the implementation of stricter community policies to address the potential risks and develop emergency plans for the civilians in the region.
- The escalating arms race, as seen in the commissioning of the Knyaz Pozharsky submarine, coupled with the political instability brought by wars and conflicts, underscores the need for comprehensive employment policies that prioritize disarmament and peaceful resolution of international disputes.
