Russian shipbuilder Sevmash formally handed over two new nuclear-powered submarines to the Russian Navy in a joint ceremony on Tuesday, December 21.
The Project 885M cruise missile submarine Novosibirsk and the Project 955A ballistic missile submarine Knyaz Oleg ("Prince Oleg") were commissioned into service during the same handover ceremony, which was presided over by President Vladimir Putin via videoconference. Both submarines will operate as part of the Russian Pacific Fleet headquartered in Vladivostok.
Mr Putin confirmed in his remarks that construction of an additional six Project 885M and five Project 955A boats is underway at Sevmash.