Jim Wright · ·
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Yeah, it's a message all right.
That rusty bucket is one of Putin's very few remaining strategic nuclear assets.
I believe this is the Kazan, a Russian Yasen-M class fast attack boat. Pretty modern and fairly capable. But one of the very few modern vessels they have.
Note: It's nuclear POWERED, not armed with nuclear bombs.
(though, yes, it could technically carry tactical nuclear armed cruise missiles, though it would be unlikely for that ordinance to be onboard. Conventionally armed cruise missiles are a lot more useful)
It should be noted that this sub is part of a fleet deployment that includes the best surface ships the Russians have. But those ships are aging and maybe not in good repair and best is a relative term.
A deployment like this puts some serious wear and tear on those vessels -- something Russia is having a hard time with. There's a cost to doing this. Cost in maintenance. Cost in fuel. Cost in operations which includes logistics, support, communications, training, consumables, and whole host of other things. Equipment has a finite lifespan. The sea is harsh and unforgiving. When you put ships to sea, you're going to break stuff, that's how it works. There's always a risk and that risk is significantly increased when you don't have the specialized maritime repair and maintenance infrastructure to offset it.
There's a big cost to this sort of deployment.
Russia is in the middle of a war with Ukraine -- something else that's costing them an enormous amount of money and assets.
This war fleet has significant tactical strike capability, yet they've moved it OUTSIDE useful range in a war they're desperate to win.
Why?
Why would you move it AWAY from the theater of operations? Especially given the very significant cost and wear on the equipment?
Well, because the risk of LOSING it is greater than its tactical value in the conflict.
That's why.
So, yes, there's a message here all right.
But it's not the one CNN wants you to think it is, because speaking of unsubtle messages and submarines, you'll need a submarine to visit the Russian Black Sea flagship.
These ship aren't any sort of threat to the US, but Vladimir Putin and Republicans sure want to you think they are.