Russia launched a new nuclear submarine

The first new nuclear submarine since the breakup of the Soviet Union was launched yesterday, part of the Kremlin's effort to upgrade Russia's strategic nuclear force.

The Yuri Dolgoruky, belonging to the Borei class (Arctic Wind), was secretly taken to the coast of Severodvinsk, home to Russia's northern submarine fleet.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, who was in charge of military affairs, attended the launching ceremony with senior government officials and advisers."For the first time in 17 years, we now launch a ship like this - this is Russia's first strategic nuclear submarine, the new generation submarine," RIA news agency quoted Ivanov as saying. expression.

The launch of this ship is part of Russia's plan to upgrade the power of the nuclear force. President Putin has stressed the need for investment in the fleet, following the 2000 Kursk submarine accidents in the Barents Sea, which killed 118 sailors.

A Russian submarine.(Photo: RIA Novosti)

It took 12 years to close the Yuri Dolgoruky. The shipbuilding process was long and difficult because the Russian navy lost many talents and lacked money, in the post-chaotic period of the late 1990s.

The Yuri Dolgoruky - named after a Slavic prince who protected Moscow in history - can dive down to a depth of 450 m, carrying a crew of 107 people, capable of living in the water for 100 days customary

The amount to close this ship is 23 billion rubles, or 890 million USD. Russia will build 8 more ships between now and 2018. The country currently has the second largest submarine fleet in the world, after the United States.

T. Huyen