According to information published by Tass on July 28, 2022, the Russian Project 941 nuclear-powered submarine Dmitry Donskoy has returned to the Northern Fleet's White Sea naval base after it accomplished combat training missions at sea.
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Russian Project 941 Dmitry Donskoy submarine (Picture source: Fleetphoto)
According to the source, the submarine’s crew is engaged in all combat training events of Russia’s Northern Fleet. Besides, it is taking part in trials of new submarines built by the Sevmash Shipyard.
Earlier, several sources rejected media reports that the submarine was about to be decommissioned. One of the sources said that the decision on Dmitry Donskoy’s future was expected to be made no earlier than December 2022. The source did not rule out that the sub’s service life may be extended for a few more years.
Head of the All-Russian Navy Support Movement Vladimir Maltsev told that Dmitry Donskoy would accomplish combat training missions until at least December 1, 2022, that is, until the end of the training year. According to him, there is no talk about its decommissioning.
In January 2021, some media outlets wrote about the decision to withdraw the submarine Dmitry Donskoy from service. They also reported about the planned combat training activities of the sub.
The submarine Dmitry Donskoy was launched on September 29, 1980, and was made operational with the Russian Navy on December 29, 1981. Initially, intercontinental ballistic missiles of the D-19 complex were the main weapon of the submarine.
In 2002, the sub was upgraded under project 941UM, then, it was used during the tests of the Bulava missile system. In the summer of 2017, the Dmitry Donskoy sailed to the Baltic Sea to take part in the Navy parade.
