Part 2: Northern Fleet Yasen-class SSGNs in 2022
Part 2: Northern Fleet Yasen-class SSGNs in 2022
Using open sources to look at the activity and operational tempo of the Northern Fleets most modern and capable multi-role submarines.
Here my look at the Yasen-class activity continues, resuming on July 27th. Recommend looking at Part 1 before reading on.
By the 27th, the Severodvinsk was in the Baltic for the Navy Day parade and I assess that the Kazan likely just had returned home following an operational patrol.
August 2022
The Severodvinsk passed through the Danish Straits northbound on August 5th.
Sentinel-2 imagery for the first weeks of August is a bit difficult to analyze, though I think the Kazan remained there until August 17th, when I have high confidence that the pier is empty.
Now, on the 18th the Northern Fleet issued a press-release stating that the Severodvinsk had returned home.
Due to clouds, there is a gap in coverage between the 17th and 23rd, but once again it seems no subs are present on the latter date.
Often Russian press-releases are pretty accurate. There is also the possibility the Severodvinsk made a short visit under the clouds, though I suspect the sub never returned home but, on leaving the Baltic, commenced an operational patrol to the Mediterranean.
Sometime between August 25th and 27th, one Yasen had returned to Zapadnaya Litsa, presumably the Kazan.
September 2022
With the advent of autumn, the weather deteriorates, creating gaps in the coverage.
On the 6th, it seems what I suspect is the Kazan was still alongside.
Due to clouds, we only get the next imagery on the 29th, so this adds uncertainty. However, there's still only one Yasen-class alongside at that time.
October 2022
The next clear day is October 5th and the pier is empty again.
There are no submarines visible on 7th, 9th 10th before weather once again created a gap. There seems to be no subs there on the 16th and 24th too, but confidence on these dates is low.
On the next clear pass, on the 31st, still likely no Yasen present.
This was the last clear pass of the year. Due the low light conditions of the northern winter, optical imagery only returns again in February.
Looking back, including Part 1, the last time both Northern Fleet Yasen-class SSGNs were alongside at the same time at their home pier was in back April.
Quick comparison with the Oscar-IIs
While I haven't made the same thorough look at the Oscar-IIs, old Twitter posts and a quick look Sentinel imagery reveals that both operational Oscars were alongside at the same time more often and more evenly distributed through the period. Overall impression is a lower pace of operations for the Oscar-IIs, with shorter periods at sea.
A selection of dates with both alongside: February 13th, May 25th, August 5th, August 27th, October 5th.
The Yasens being the most modern and capable multi-role subs in the Northern Fleet, this difference in activity in comparison with their older cousins is prehaps not surprising, but still worth noting.
Summing up Yasen-class activity for 2022
Looking at the data I have presented in this two part series, I'd say the Yasens had a busy 2022, with a lot of time away from their home base.
I suspect both subs made two operational patrols.
The Severodvinsk, a shorter one in May/June and a full length patrol to the Mediterranean in the autumn.
The Kazan, a full length patrol in May to July and another, of unknown length, starting in October.
Tracking submarines via open sources isn't easy and Sentinel imagery what it is, so errors is certainly possible. The subs can also have been alongside in other places some of the time they were absent from Zapadnaya Litsa.
However, I do think I have managed to outline an overview of the activity of the Yasens in ‘22, including identifying when they likely were on operational patrols.
I sure did find this interesting, hope you do so too.
Regards
The Lookout