How Russia’s navy became a perilous threat to the UK in the North Atlantic
How Russia’s navy became a perilous threat to the UK in the North Atlantic
Posted by theipaper
How Russia’s navy became a perilous threat to the UK in the North Atlantic
How Russia’s navy became a perilous threat to the UK in the North Atlantic
Posted by theipaper
6 comments
A week after Norway’s defence minister [warned](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/24/russia-massing-nuclear-fleet-in-arctic-circle-war-with-nato/) about the burgeoning capabilities of Russia’s Northern Fleet, based in Murmansk, Russia proved his point.
On Monday, it launched its [newest submarine, the ](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/putin-nuclear-submarine-doomsday-torpedo-how-west-prepare-4019141?ico=in-line_link)[*Khabarovsk*](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/putin-nuclear-submarine-doomsday-torpedo-how-west-prepare-4019141?ico=in-line_link)*,* designed to carry the nuclear-powered, nuclear-tipped torpedo [Poseidon](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/putin-tests-nuclear-doomsday-torpedo-how-worried-4010700?ico=in-line_link). [Vladimir Putin](https://inews.co.uk/topic/vladimir-putin?ico=in-line_link) claims this doomsday weapon was successfully tested last month. Russia’s defence minister, [Andrei Belousov](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/russia-military-putin-long-term-3053168?srsltid=AfmBOoqUe_67fKwBpEXV9eyW5e4gFxPtmuY4nnAWNpqCu5ax4e98sHbm&ico=in-line_link), said *Khabarovsk* can also deploy other robotic underwater weapons. It can probably fire long-range cruise missiles, too.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte unwisely [mocked](https://www.euronews.com/2025/10/14/nato-chief-mark-rutte-mocks-russia-over-limping-submarine-in-english-channel) Russia’s naval capabilities last month, but its fleet poses a significant threat to the UK.
The Russian Navy’s abject [performance in the constrained Black Sea](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/russian-ship-drone-attack-ukraine-3063237?ico=in-line_link) theatre at the hands of Ukraine should not be used to downplay its threat in the vast North Atlantic. Confronting it will be a formidable challenge for the [Royal Navy](https://inews.co.uk/topic/royal-navy?ico=in-line_link). Rebuilding the ability to do so is going to take many years.
Putin likes his navy, which has come a long way since its post-Soviet collapse. At a naval review in 2017, he said that “Russia’s history is inseparable from the victories of its courageous and fearless Navy”.
Increasingly identifying himself with Peter the Great, who founded the Russian navy, Putin has lavished money on modern ships and submarines. He has also promised to spend billions more over the next decade.
In 2022, Putin [identified](https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/MES-Publications/MES-Insights/Russias-New-Maritime-Doctrine/) several areas adjacent to Russia – including the Arctic and Barents Sea – as “vital and strategic” waters for Russian national security. This is shaping the navy as a force designed to defend Russia’s maritime approaches, deny access to them to Russia’s adversaries, and deliver nuclear and conventional deterrence.
This is why this relatively new UK led Northern European defence pact is going to skyrocket in importance in the coming years: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Expeditionary_Force
Unlike wider NATO these countries all have a shared interest in Northern European waters
I’d say most threats are perilous
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Three old ladies in a row boat could take out the Russian “Navy.” Hell, Ukraine doesn’t even have a Navy and there is no longer a Russian Black Sea fleet.
The Russian Navy is all show they do not want to actually have a confrontation that would be a disaster.
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