Russian submarine Rostov-na-Donu

B-237 Rostov-na-Donu in 2014
History
Russia
NameB-237 Rostov-na-Donu
NamesakeRostov-on-Don
Laid down21 November 2011
Launched26 June 2014
Commissioned30 December 2014
StatusDamaged by Storm Shadow and/or SCALP missiles, 13 September 2023. Likely sunk by missile attack, 2 August 2024.[1][2][3][4][5]
General characteristics
Class & typeKilo-class submarine
Displacement
  • 2,350 t (2,310 long tons) surfaced
  • 3,100 t (3,100 long tons)
Length74 m (242 ft 9 in)
Beam9.9 m (32 ft 6 in)
Draft6.1 m (20 ft 0 in)
Propulsion
Endurance45 days
Test depth300 m (984 ft 3 in)
Complement52 officers and sailors
Armament6 × 553 mm (21.8 in) torpedo tubes

Rostov-na-Donu (B-237) (Russian: Б-237 «Ростов-на-Дону») is a Project 636.3 (NATO reporting name Improved Kilo II–class) diesel-electric attack submarine of the Russian Navy. It was laid down on 21 November 2011, launched on 26 June 2014, and commissioned on 26 December 2014, becoming part of Russia's Black Sea Fleet.

In 2015 it was deployed as part of the Mediterranean Sea Task Force during the Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war. Rostov-na-Donu fired Kalibr cruise missiles at Islamic State targets in Raqqa Governorate, Syria, on 8 December 2015, becoming the first Russian submarine to fire shots in combat since World War II. Rostov-na-Donu was later in a drydock in Sevastopol when it was heavily damaged in a Ukrainian attack on 13 September 2023. It was later restored, but was reportedly hit again and allegedly sunk on 2 August 2024.

Design

It was developed starting in 1974 by the Rubin Design Bureau as the Project 877 (NATO reporting name Kilo-class) diesel-electric attack submarine for the Soviet Navy. In the 1990s the original design received upgrades to its stealth, propulsion, and automation, becoming the Project 636 (Improved Kilo class). Beginning from 2010, further improvements led to the Project 636.3 (Improved Kilo II class). The Improved Kilo II has a displacement of 2,350 tonnes (2,310 long tons) while surfaced and 3,100 tonnes (3,100 long tons) while under water. It has a length of 74 metres (242 ft 9 in), a beam of 9.9 metres (32 ft 6 in), and a draft of 6.1 metres (20 ft 0 in).[6]

With diesel-electric propulsion, its single propeller shaft is driven by an electric motor, powered by two diesel generators, which give it a speed of 17 kn (31 km/h; 20 mph) on the surface or 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph) submerged. The submarine has a crew of 52 officers and sailors and can stay at sea for 45 days. Its maximum diving depth is reported as 300 metres (984 ft 3 in). The armament consists of six 553 mm (21.8 in) torpedo tubes, which can launch torpedoes, naval mines, or missiles. Some Improved Kilo II submarines are armed with variants of the Kalibr cruise missile, being able to hold up to four of them. Alternatively, they can hold up to 18 torpedoes or 24 naval mines.[6][7]

History

2010s

Rostov-na-Donu is a diesel-electric submarine of the Improved Project 636.3 class of modern Russian ships. B-237 was built in Saint Petersburg shipyard, laid down on 21 November 2011, launched on 26 June 2014 and commissioned on 26 December 2014.[8] It was part of the first batch of Improved Kilo II submarines, built for the Black Sea Fleet.[6]

The submarine was assigned to the 4th Submarine Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet after completing training exercises off northern Russia, but was first deployed to the Mediterranean Sea Task Force in December 2015. Rostov-na-Donu joined the Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war and on 8 December 2015 fired Kalibr cruise missiles at Islamic State command centers in the Raqqa Governorate, Syria. The attack was later described by Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu at a press conference with President Vladimir Putin. This made Rostov-na-Donu the first Russian submarine to fire in combat since World War II.[9]

2020s

In April 2020 Rostov-na-Donu returned to the Mediterranean for another deployment, as one of the attack submarines assigned to the Russian Navy task force there.[10]

The submarine returned to the Black Sea in February 2022, passing the Bosporus on 13 February.[11] With Rostov-na-Donu, the Russian Black Sea Fleet had four Improved Kilo–class submarines equipped with Kalibr land-attack missiles deployed in the Black Sea as of February 2022, at least three of which were believed to be active.[11][12]

13 September 2023 attack

On 13 September 2023, the Russian-appointed governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhaev said that Sevastopol Shipyard, belonging to Sevmorzavod, had been struck by a Ukrainian "missile attack" at 2 am, causing a large fire. The Russian MoD said that ten cruise missiles had been fired, of which seven were shot down. The attack also involved three "maritime drones", which were said to have been destroyed. The Ministry said, "As a result of being hit by enemy cruise missiles, two ships under repair were damaged". At least 24 people were reported injured. The ships damaged were the landing ship Minsk and Rostov-na-Donu.[13][14][15][16] Ukraine said the two ships were "likely damaged beyond repair". The Russian government denied this, and said they would be repaired and returned to full operational status.[17] Based on open-source imagery, the UK Ministry of Defence assessed that the submarine had "likely suffered catastrophic damage."[18]

On 18 September, two images were leaked online of the damage to Rostov-na-Donu, which appeared to be extensive. Two large breaches in the hull of the submarine could be seen, one around the midpoint of the starboard side to the rear of the conning tower and another on the top bow.[19][20] Due to the nature of the damage, it was assessed that the submarine would be out of action for the duration of the war due to the closing of the Dardanelles Straits to all foreign warships at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in accordance with the terms of the Montreux Convention.[21] The submarine would need to be transported to the Admiralty Shipyards in Saint Petersburg to be repaired; however it is assessed to be more practical for a new submarine of the class to be constructed due to the extensive repairs that would be required.[22]

2 August 2024 attack

Ukrainian forces claimed Rostov-na-Donu "sank on the spot" after a drone and missile strike on Sevastopol that also damaged an S-400 launcher. The submarine had been repaired after the 2023 attack, and was undergoing testing off Sevastopol.[23] The British Ministry of Defence stated that it was, 'highly likely' that the submarine was sunk as Newsweek published satellite imagery alleging the submarine was replaced by a decoy with the genuine submarine partially hidden beneath a tarp nearby.[5] As of 1 July 2025, Oryx has not listed the submarine as having been sunk.[24]

References

  1. ^ Haynes, Deborah (15 September 2023). "Ukraine says bomber deployed British and French cruise missiles 'perfectly' in major attack on Russian navy". Sky News. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  2. ^ Newdick, Thomas (18 September 2023). "Russian Submarine Shows Massive Damage After Ukrainian Strike". The Drive. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  3. ^ Haynes, Deborah (13 September 2023). "British cruise missiles were used in significant Ukrainian attack on Russian submarine". Sky News. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  4. ^ "New images show extent of damage endured by Russian submarine in Sevastopol". Ukrinform. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b Reporter, Ryan Chan China News (16 August 2024). "Russia floats lifesize submarine decoy of sunken vessel in Crimea". Newsweek. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Wertheim, Eric (August 2023). "Russia's Kilo-class Submarine: Improved And More Deadly Than Ever". Proceedings of the United States Naval Institute. 149/8/1, 446. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  7. ^ Polmar, Norman; Moore, K. J. (2003). Cold War Submarines: The Design and Construction of U.S. and Soviet Submarines, 1945–2001. Dulles, Virginia: Potomac Books Inc. p. 214. ISBN 1-57488-594-4.
  8. ^ "Submarine B-237 Rostov-on-Don - Project 06363 / Improved Kilo class". www.kchf.ru. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  9. ^ Episkopos, Mark (12 January 2019). "Meet the First Russian Submarine To Fire in Anger Since World War II (And Its New Cruise Missiles)". The National Interest. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  10. ^ Suciu, Peter (29 April 2020). "Why Is a Russian Submarine Headed to Syria?". The National Interest. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  11. ^ a b Ozberk, Tayfun (12 February 2022). "Russia's Improved Kilo-Class Submarine Entering Black Sea". Naval News. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022.
  12. ^ "Black Sea Fleet deployments-Wk07/2022". russianfleetanalysis.blogspot.com. 14 February 2022. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023.
  13. ^ Amran, Rachel (13 September 2023). "UPDATE: Explosions reported at marine plant in occupied Sevastopol, 24 reported injured". The Kyiv Independent. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Fire at naval shipyard in Russia-annexed Crimea after Ukraine air attack". Al Jazeera. 13 September 2023. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  15. ^ Martínez, Andrés R.; Santora, Marc (13 September 2023). "Ukraine Strikes Russian Naval Ships in Black Sea". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  16. ^ Taylor, Will (13 September 2023). "Russia's $300 million Kilo-class submarine hit in attack on Black Sea Fleet naval base as fireballs light up shipyard". LBC. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  17. ^ Balmforth, Tom (14 September 2023). "Satellite images show damage to Russian naval vessels struck in Ukraine attack". Reuters. Archived from the original on 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  18. ^ United Kingdom Ministry of Defence [@DefenceHQ] (15 September 2023). "Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 15 September 2023" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 29 September 2023 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Malyasov, Dylan (18 September 2023). "Haunting images of burnt Russian submarine leaked". Defence Blog. Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Photos of the damaged Rostov-on-Don submarine appeared". Militarnyi. 18 September 2023. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  21. ^ Ozberk, Tayfun (28 February 2022). "Turkey closes the Dardanelles and Bosphorus to warships". Naval News. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Submarine Rostov on Don suffers critical damage: new photos reveal extent of September 13 attack". Navy Recognition. 18 September 2023. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  23. ^ "Ukraine's military says it sunk Russian Black Sea Fleet submarine, damaged S-400 missile system in 'successful hit'". The Kyiv Independent. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  24. ^ Oryx. "Attack On Europe: Documenting Russian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine". Oryx. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
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