Yasen / Yasen-M is Russia's family of fourth-generation nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines, designed by Malakhit and built by Sevmash. The lead boat Severodvinsk entered service in 2014, and later Yasen-M boats added a modernized sensor fit and new cruise-missile carriage options.
Source-limited conflict context rather than confirmed weapons release: in September 2022, Naval News reported strong indications that a Russian nuclear attack or cruise-missile submarine was operating near Italy and described the Mediterranean posture as an outer defense and deterrence layer around Russia's Black Sea operations during the invasion of Ukraine.
The Yasen family bridges attack-submarine and guided-missile-submarine missions. Public sources describe a boat intended to hunt surface and submarine targets while also carrying long-range cruise missiles for land-attack and anti-ship roles.
RUSI and Sevmash describe Yasen-M as shorter than the lead Project 885 boat and fitted with updated systems, equipment and materials.
Open reporting describes vertical launch capacity for Kalibr and Oniks, with later Yasen-M integration of Tsirkon reported for the Perm generation.
Open sources support deterrence, patrol and test-launch context, but not a confirmed Yasen/Yasen-M combat missile launch in Ukraine or Syria.
Project 885 refers to the original Yasen design led by Severodvinsk; Project 885M / Yasen-M is the modernized serial design beginning with Kazan.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Project 885 Yasen | Original lead design | K-560 Severodvinsk was the original Project 885 boat, laid down in 1993 and accepted into Russian service in 2014 after a long post-Soviet build cycle. Sources: The might of Russia's advanced nuclear submarine, Russian Navy Accepts First in New Class of Nuclear Attack Submarine |
| Project 885M Yasen-M | Modernized serial design | Kazan introduced the modernized Yasen-M line; Sevmash and TASS describe major design changes, upgraded equipment, and updated materials after the lead boat. Sources: Russia’s Yasen-class nuclear attack submarine Kazan to begin state trials next summer, На атомной подводной лодке «Казань» поднят Андреевский флаг |
Public reporting describes the Yasen family as a cruise-missile submarine line whose weapons fit spans Kalibr and Oniks, with later Yasen-M boats associated with Tsirkon integration.
| Launched item | Item type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Cruise missile family | USNI reported Severodvinsk carried Kalibr cruise missiles among the submarine's main weapons. Sources: Russian Navy Accepts First in New Class of Nuclear Attack Submarine |
 | Supersonic cruise missile | USNI reported Severodvinsk carried Oniks cruise missiles among the submarine's main weapons. Sources: Russian Navy Accepts First in New Class of Nuclear Attack Submarine |
TASS reported that K-560 Severodvinsk, the lead Project 885 submarine, was laid down at Sevmash on December 21, 1993.
Sources: The might of Russia's advanced nuclear submarine
TASS recorded June 15, 2010 as the float-out date for Severodvinsk after the long lead-boat construction period.
Sources: The might of Russia's advanced nuclear submarine
USNI and TASS reported that the Russian Navy accepted K-560 Severodvinsk, the first Project 885 Yasen-class submarine, in June 2014.
Sources: The might of Russia's advanced nuclear submarine, Russian Navy Accepts First in New Class of Nuclear Attack Submarine
Sevmash said Kazan, the lead modernized Project 885M submarine, was floated out on March 31, 2017.
Sources: На атомной подводной лодке «Казань» поднят Андреевский флаг
Sevmash reported that the St. Andrew's flag was raised aboard Kazan in a May 7, 2021 ceremony after the acceptance act was signed on May 5.
Sources: На атомной подводной лодке «Казань» поднят Андреевский флаг
CSIS Missile Threat reported that Severodvinsk test-fired 3M22 Tsirkon missiles from surfaced and submerged positions in October 2021.
Sources: Russia Launches Zircon Hypersonic Missiles from Submarine
Sevmash announced the transfer of Arkhangelsk to the Russian Navy, identifying it as the third serial Project 885M boat.
Sources: На Севмаше состоялась торжественная церемония передачи ВМФ России атомного подводного крейсера «Архангельск»
Sevmash said the Yasen-M submarine Perm had been floated out, described it as the sixth boat in the Yasen family, and identified it as the first regular Project 885M carrier for Tsirkon.
Sources: На Севмаше состоялась церемония вывода из эллинга атомного подводного крейсера «Пермь»
