Mike Plunkett
@mikeplunkett.bsky.social
Senior Naval Platforms Analyst with Janes and contributor to Janes Fighting Ships. Russian and Chinese warships are my speciality, but I also cover the Koreas.
All opinions expressed here are mine alone. RT/Like ≠ endorsement
All opinions expressed here are mine alone. RT/Like ≠ endorsement
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
🔺Submarine construction - Update
NEWCON Lada T677 class SSK B-587 "Vilikiye-Luki" (H03) was commissioned into the Russian Navy at Admiralty shipyard, 16 December 2025.
⚠️Unit will likely conduct unit certification training in the Baltic Sea, next 6-8 months before becoming operational.
NEWCON Lada T677 class SSK B-587 "Vilikiye-Luki" (H03) was commissioned into the Russian Navy at Admiralty shipyard, 16 December 2025.
⚠️Unit will likely conduct unit certification training in the Baltic Sea, next 6-8 months before becoming operational.
December 16, 2025 at 12:20 PM
🔺Submarine construction - Update
NEWCON Lada T677 class SSK B-587 "Vilikiye-Luki" (H03) was commissioned into the Russian Navy at Admiralty shipyard, 16 December 2025.
⚠️Unit will likely conduct unit certification training in the Baltic Sea, next 6-8 months before becoming operational.
NEWCON Lada T677 class SSK B-587 "Vilikiye-Luki" (H03) was commissioned into the Russian Navy at Admiralty shipyard, 16 December 2025.
⚠️Unit will likely conduct unit certification training in the Baltic Sea, next 6-8 months before becoming operational.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
RF Navy Northern Fleet Udaloy I-class destroyers Severomorsk and Vitse-Admiral Kulakov departed Baltiysk today
- Vitse-Admiral Kulakov departed midday
- Severomorsk departed late afternoon
- Vitse-Admiral Kulakov departed midday
- Severomorsk departed late afternoon
December 15, 2025 at 7:36 PM
RF Navy Northern Fleet Udaloy I-class destroyers Severomorsk and Vitse-Admiral Kulakov departed Baltiysk today
- Vitse-Admiral Kulakov departed midday
- Severomorsk departed late afternoon
- Vitse-Admiral Kulakov departed midday
- Severomorsk departed late afternoon
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
Weird timing. It's usually *after* Christmas that everybody makes an effort to get rid of their unwanted Kilos
First Combat Use of Underwater Kamikaze Drones: Russian Kilo class Submarine Disabled in Novorossiysk
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has carried out a special operation in the port of Novorossiysk, marking the first-ever combat use of underwater kamikaze drones.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has carried out a special operation in the port of Novorossiysk, marking the first-ever combat use of underwater kamikaze drones.
December 15, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Weird timing. It's usually *after* Christmas that everybody makes an effort to get rid of their unwanted Kilos
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
...returned to port on 15 December after 14-day underway period
December 16, 2025 at 12:48 AM
...returned to port on 15 December after 14-day underway period
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
RF Navy Northern Fleet unidentified Akula-class nuclear-powered sub departed port on 2 December and remains underway through today
December 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
RF Navy Northern Fleet unidentified Akula-class nuclear-powered sub departed port on 2 December and remains underway through today
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
It is really amazing the SBU snuck a new underwater weapon into Novorossiysk, yes, but perhaps what is equally amazing is the placement or access of the camera which recorded the event.
It means they could have had access for a good long while and burned the source for this.
This was top notch.
It means they could have had access for a good long while and burned the source for this.
This was top notch.
A $400 million Varshavyanka-class Russian submarine used to launch Kalibr cruise missiles at Ukraine has been successfully decommissioned by the SBU using underwater drones.
The first time in history a drone takes out a submarine.
The first time in history a drone takes out a submarine.
December 16, 2025 at 1:53 AM
It is really amazing the SBU snuck a new underwater weapon into Novorossiysk, yes, but perhaps what is equally amazing is the placement or access of the camera which recorded the event.
It means they could have had access for a good long while and burned the source for this.
This was top notch.
It means they could have had access for a good long while and burned the source for this.
This was top notch.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
Back when Ajax wasn’t a dirty word
December 16, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Back when Ajax wasn’t a dirty word
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
This morning. Again.
December 16, 2025 at 9:39 AM
This morning. Again.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
🔺Baltic Sea activity - Breaking!
Russian Navy Northern Fleet Pr.1155 Udaloy class destroyer, BPK-626 “Vice Admiral Kulakov” VISID departed the Baltic Sea, 16 December 2025.
⚠️ Having been relieved by BPK-619 "Severomorsk", BPK-626 may return to homeport Severomorsk.
Russian Navy Northern Fleet Pr.1155 Udaloy class destroyer, BPK-626 “Vice Admiral Kulakov” VISID departed the Baltic Sea, 16 December 2025.
⚠️ Having been relieved by BPK-619 "Severomorsk", BPK-626 may return to homeport Severomorsk.
December 16, 2025 at 11:08 AM
🔺Baltic Sea activity - Breaking!
Russian Navy Northern Fleet Pr.1155 Udaloy class destroyer, BPK-626 “Vice Admiral Kulakov” VISID departed the Baltic Sea, 16 December 2025.
⚠️ Having been relieved by BPK-619 "Severomorsk", BPK-626 may return to homeport Severomorsk.
Russian Navy Northern Fleet Pr.1155 Udaloy class destroyer, BPK-626 “Vice Admiral Kulakov” VISID departed the Baltic Sea, 16 December 2025.
⚠️ Having been relieved by BPK-619 "Severomorsk", BPK-626 may return to homeport Severomorsk.
St Petersburg-class (aka Lada) Hull 3, Velikiye Luki, commissioned today...a mere 19 years after it was first laid down 🤦
tass.ru/obschestvo/2...
FYI: @saturnax1.bsky.social @spectrecrouton.bsky.social @covertshores.bsky.social
tass.ru/obschestvo/2...
FYI: @saturnax1.bsky.social @spectrecrouton.bsky.social @covertshores.bsky.social
Андреевский флаг подняли на дизель-электрической подлодке "Великие Луки"
Накануне экипаж завершил программу испытаний, которые подтвердили заданные тактико-технические характеристики подлодки
tass.ru
December 16, 2025 at 10:58 AM
St Petersburg-class (aka Lada) Hull 3, Velikiye Luki, commissioned today...a mere 19 years after it was first laid down 🤦
tass.ru/obschestvo/2...
FYI: @saturnax1.bsky.social @spectrecrouton.bsky.social @covertshores.bsky.social
tass.ru/obschestvo/2...
FYI: @saturnax1.bsky.social @spectrecrouton.bsky.social @covertshores.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
#NavalNews
FYI @salisbot.bsky.social @jjdroxford.bsky.social @mikeplunkett.bsky.social @covertshores.bsky.social @alxluck.bsky.social @navalnews.com
FYI @salisbot.bsky.social @jjdroxford.bsky.social @mikeplunkett.bsky.social @covertshores.bsky.social @alxluck.bsky.social @navalnews.com
☠️ Captain 3rd Rank (Major) Polovkov Alexander Sergeevich - assistant divisional mechanic of the 41st Missile Boat Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet - died as a result of a drone strike on Kalibr missile carrier, Ingushetia corvette, on August 28, 2025 in the Sea of Azov, - KIU
December 15, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
🔺 Research vessel activity - Update
PP Shirshov Institute of Oceanology owned & operated RV “Akademik Ioffe” completed westbound transit of the English Channel, 10 December 2025.
⚠️Unit heading for survey tasking in the tropical WESTLANT region but may conduct survey operations en route.
PP Shirshov Institute of Oceanology owned & operated RV “Akademik Ioffe” completed westbound transit of the English Channel, 10 December 2025.
⚠️Unit heading for survey tasking in the tropical WESTLANT region but may conduct survey operations en route.
December 11, 2025 at 6:51 AM
🔺 Research vessel activity - Update
PP Shirshov Institute of Oceanology owned & operated RV “Akademik Ioffe” completed westbound transit of the English Channel, 10 December 2025.
⚠️Unit heading for survey tasking in the tropical WESTLANT region but may conduct survey operations en route.
PP Shirshov Institute of Oceanology owned & operated RV “Akademik Ioffe” completed westbound transit of the English Channel, 10 December 2025.
⚠️Unit heading for survey tasking in the tropical WESTLANT region but may conduct survey operations en route.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
🔺COI activity - Update
Russian RO-RO “Ascalon” exited the English Channel, AM 11 December 2025.
⚠️Unit conducted possible WX avoidance south of Swanage, 8-10 December, possibly indicating poor unit sea worthiness (during Storm Bram) or cargo concerns in high sea states. No new escort noted.
Russian RO-RO “Ascalon” exited the English Channel, AM 11 December 2025.
⚠️Unit conducted possible WX avoidance south of Swanage, 8-10 December, possibly indicating poor unit sea worthiness (during Storm Bram) or cargo concerns in high sea states. No new escort noted.
December 11, 2025 at 7:16 AM
🔺COI activity - Update
Russian RO-RO “Ascalon” exited the English Channel, AM 11 December 2025.
⚠️Unit conducted possible WX avoidance south of Swanage, 8-10 December, possibly indicating poor unit sea worthiness (during Storm Bram) or cargo concerns in high sea states. No new escort noted.
Russian RO-RO “Ascalon” exited the English Channel, AM 11 December 2025.
⚠️Unit conducted possible WX avoidance south of Swanage, 8-10 December, possibly indicating poor unit sea worthiness (during Storm Bram) or cargo concerns in high sea states. No new escort noted.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
OTD in 1994 the First Chechen War began. After incompetent initial assault that failed, Russian army turned to barbarism & crimes against humanity. It stopped when we signed a peace deal we would later violate.
None of this should sound familiar to you
None of this should sound familiar to you
December 11, 2025 at 8:27 AM
OTD in 1994 the First Chechen War began. After incompetent initial assault that failed, Russian army turned to barbarism & crimes against humanity. It stopped when we signed a peace deal we would later violate.
None of this should sound familiar to you
None of this should sound familiar to you
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
RF Navy Northern Fleet Ropucha I-class landing ship Aleksandr Otrakovskiy departed Severomorsk midday on 1 December and remains underway through today
December 11, 2025 at 10:16 AM
RF Navy Northern Fleet Ropucha I-class landing ship Aleksandr Otrakovskiy departed Severomorsk midday on 1 December and remains underway through today
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
FYI @covertshores.bsky.social @salisbot.bsky.social @thelookout.bsky.social @mikeplunkett.bsky.social @alxluck.bsky.social
SBU’s “Sea Baby” naval drones struck the Russian “shadow fleet” tanker Dashan in the Black Sea.
The vessel, sailing under the Comoros flag, was moving through Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone toward the port terminal in Novorossiysk.
The vessel, sailing under the Comoros flag, was moving through Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone toward the port terminal in Novorossiysk.
December 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
🔺Northern Fleet Air activity
At least one Russian Navy NFAF probable Tu-142 MPA concluded a 10-hr sortie over the Arctic region, 4 December 2025.
⚠️Aircraft highly likely conducted range support activity for a missile firing event on the White Sea range.
At least one Russian Navy NFAF probable Tu-142 MPA concluded a 10-hr sortie over the Arctic region, 4 December 2025.
⚠️Aircraft highly likely conducted range support activity for a missile firing event on the White Sea range.
December 4, 2025 at 1:03 PM
🔺Northern Fleet Air activity
At least one Russian Navy NFAF probable Tu-142 MPA concluded a 10-hr sortie over the Arctic region, 4 December 2025.
⚠️Aircraft highly likely conducted range support activity for a missile firing event on the White Sea range.
At least one Russian Navy NFAF probable Tu-142 MPA concluded a 10-hr sortie over the Arctic region, 4 December 2025.
⚠️Aircraft highly likely conducted range support activity for a missile firing event on the White Sea range.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
RF Navy Baltic Fleet salvage/rescue tug Aleksandr Frolov (MMSI 273542930) departed Baltiysk today with a stated destination of Skagerrak, which may (or may not) indicate the tug is heading north to the Kattegat/Skagerrak area in the coming days
November 27, 2025 at 11:24 AM
RF Navy Baltic Fleet salvage/rescue tug Aleksandr Frolov (MMSI 273542930) departed Baltiysk today with a stated destination of Skagerrak, which may (or may not) indicate the tug is heading north to the Kattegat/Skagerrak area in the coming days
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
🔺Baltic Sea activity
Russian MPVS06-NY class ice-class rescue tug "Murman" arrived in the Baltiysk roads, 27 November 2025, after IPTX from Murmansk.
Tasking unknown but unit could undergo maintenance at Yantar shipyard however, given role & time of year this seems unlikely.
Russian MPVS06-NY class ice-class rescue tug "Murman" arrived in the Baltiysk roads, 27 November 2025, after IPTX from Murmansk.
Tasking unknown but unit could undergo maintenance at Yantar shipyard however, given role & time of year this seems unlikely.
November 27, 2025 at 12:42 PM
🔺Baltic Sea activity
Russian MPVS06-NY class ice-class rescue tug "Murman" arrived in the Baltiysk roads, 27 November 2025, after IPTX from Murmansk.
Tasking unknown but unit could undergo maintenance at Yantar shipyard however, given role & time of year this seems unlikely.
Russian MPVS06-NY class ice-class rescue tug "Murman" arrived in the Baltiysk roads, 27 November 2025, after IPTX from Murmansk.
Tasking unknown but unit could undergo maintenance at Yantar shipyard however, given role & time of year this seems unlikely.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
mesmirising
ROV SuBastian pilots need raises because CAN YOU SEE IT?! ROV SuBastian in the eye of this Taningia! @schmidtocean.bsky.social dive 871 #asgardarchaea #MarineLife
November 27, 2025 at 4:10 PM
mesmirising
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
🔺OOA activity - Update
Russian Navy Black Sea Fleet Pr.03182 multifunction logistics ship ”Vice Admiral Paromov”, likely in company with Northern Fleet Pr.07452 sonar surveillance ship GS-31 “Chusovoy”arrived in the Barents Sea, 26 November 2025, following IPTX from Khronstadt.
Russian Navy Black Sea Fleet Pr.03182 multifunction logistics ship ”Vice Admiral Paromov”, likely in company with Northern Fleet Pr.07452 sonar surveillance ship GS-31 “Chusovoy”arrived in the Barents Sea, 26 November 2025, following IPTX from Khronstadt.
November 26, 2025 at 8:02 AM
🔺OOA activity - Update
Russian Navy Black Sea Fleet Pr.03182 multifunction logistics ship ”Vice Admiral Paromov”, likely in company with Northern Fleet Pr.07452 sonar surveillance ship GS-31 “Chusovoy”arrived in the Barents Sea, 26 November 2025, following IPTX from Khronstadt.
Russian Navy Black Sea Fleet Pr.03182 multifunction logistics ship ”Vice Admiral Paromov”, likely in company with Northern Fleet Pr.07452 sonar surveillance ship GS-31 “Chusovoy”arrived in the Barents Sea, 26 November 2025, following IPTX from Khronstadt.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
#NavalNews Russian Navy Northern Fleet's Project 22010 KRUYS-class "oceanographic research ship" (read AGI) YANTAR operating off the northern coast of Scotland as shown on a screen during Defence Secretary John Healey's speech, Nov. 19, 2025.
Photo: Stefan Rousseau/REUTERS.
@warshipcam.bsky.social
Photo: Stefan Rousseau/REUTERS.
@warshipcam.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
#NavalNews Russian Navy Northern Fleet's Project 22010 KRUYS-class "oceanographic research ship" (read AGI) YANTAR operating off the northern coast of Scotland as shown on a screen during Defence Secretary John Healey's speech, Nov. 19, 2025.
Photo: Stefan Rousseau/REUTERS.
@warshipcam.bsky.social
Photo: Stefan Rousseau/REUTERS.
@warshipcam.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
[5/5] At a ~10-knot speed of advance, Vitse-Admiral Paromov could pass under the Great Belt Bridge during the 08:00 UTC hour on 20 November.
November 19, 2025 at 3:15 PM
[5/5] At a ~10-knot speed of advance, Vitse-Admiral Paromov could pass under the Great Belt Bridge during the 08:00 UTC hour on 20 November.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
[4/5] If Vitse-Admiral Paromov does deploy to the Mediterranean Sea, it could relieve RF Navy Northern Fleet Kaliningradneft-class oiler Kama, which has been deployed since 6 September.
November 19, 2025 at 3:15 PM
[4/5] If Vitse-Admiral Paromov does deploy to the Mediterranean Sea, it could relieve RF Navy Northern Fleet Kaliningradneft-class oiler Kama, which has been deployed since 6 September.