Within the past 72 Hours, Russia sortied at least SIX (6) nuclear-powered "Akula" and other model fast-attack submarines into the Pacific Ocean. It is now believed they are enroute to the U.S. west coast.
The Russian Ministry of Defense even published an official video showing the vessels all leaving port at the same time:
Deployment of nuclear-powered submarines of the Pacific Fleet of the 🇷🇺#Russian #Navy during the recent exercises on April 17, 2023. pic.twitter.com/MUcJSPAepu
— Capt(N) (@Capt_Navy) April 19, 2023
Clearly visible are several Akula-class and even one ultra-modern YASEN-class ballistic missile submarines.
The YASEN-class are cruise missile subs that are designed to attack Carrier Battle Groups and can destroy hostile ballistic missile submarines, attack submarines, and ships. They can also be land-attack submarines.
To strike enemy Carriers, the YASEN's carry the (3M55) "Onik" missiles with a range of 320 nautical miles or 592.64km. In their land-attack role, the submarines carry the (3M14K) "Kalibr" cruise missile with a range of 1600 nautical miles or 2963.2km.
Each YASEN has eight (8) (CM-346) complex (3p-14B) vertical launch tubes that can fire either Onik or Kalibr missiles, and can launch either surfaced or submerged.
The upgraded YASEN-M can also fire the hypersonic "Zircon" missile at either ships or land targets.
According to Michael Peterson of the Russia Maritime Studies Institute, for the first time in its history, Russia can now lay off the coasts of either Europe or even the United States, and present a persistent land-attack threat with very highly precise weapons.
This new ability concerns NATO leaders as a threat to physical infrastructure such as ports which would be critical during wartime.
A 2009 report by the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) says the YASEN is "the quietist of Russian-made submarines."
Moscow has "significantly modernized its submarine force in recent years," with 11 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines and 17 nuclear-powered attack submarines. By this data count, Russia also has nine nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines and 21 diesel-electric attack submarines.
The fact that all these submarines are now in the Pacific Ocean and heading toward the US west coast OUGHT TO BE a signal to the US to knock off its interference in the Russia-Ukraine situation. Sadly, it appears no one in the US is listening or even looking for messages from Russia.
It seems the US will only acknowledge the cost of our meddling in Ukraine when bright, white, flashes start appearing over US cities from Russian submarines and ICBM's.
