Russia positions armed submarines 37 miles from the NATO border

On March 11, 2025, satellite images revealed a substantial concentration of Russian naval forces at Zapadnaya Litsa, a covert military installation situated on the Kola Peninsula near the border with Norway.

The imagery showed five nuclear-powered guided missile submarines (SSGNs) docked at the naval facilities, including three Oscar II-class submarines, one Yasen-class submarine, and one advanced Yasen-M-class submarine.

This uncommon view into one of Russia’s key Arctic installations, obtained through commercial satellite data, sheds light on the nation’s submarine activities as spring approaches in the northern regions.

Located merely 37 miles (60 kilometers) from NATO territory, Zapadnaya Litsa is a vital center for Russia’s Northern Fleet. The presence of these sophisticated vessels highlights Moscow’s continued commitment to enhancing its underwater capabilities amid rising regional tensions.

This observation occurs at a crucial juncture for Arctic geopolitics. Positioned along the Litsa Fjord, Zapadnaya Litsa has historically been a fundamental element of Russia’s naval strategy, accommodating some of its most formidable submarine assets.

The base’s closeness to the Barents Sea and its significance in supporting Russia’s “bastion defense” strategy—aimed at safeguarding its nuclear ballistic missile submarines—render it a key point of interest for military analysts.

The submarines depicted in the imagery showcase a combination of Soviet-era designs and advanced technology, reflecting Russia’s strategy of maintaining a strong naval presence through a dual approach.

The Oscar II-class submarines, which were first commissioned in the 1980s, have been upgraded to launch modern cruise missiles. In contrast, the Yasen and Yasen-M classes represent some of the most advanced vessels in Russia’s fleet, engineered for stealth and long-range strike capabilities.

Three Oscar II-class submarines, visible at the piers, are remnants of the Cold War, originally designed to counter U.S. aircraft carriers with volleys of anti-ship missiles.

As reported by the U.S. Naval Institute, these 19,000-ton giants have been modernized in recent years to deploy Kalibr cruise missiles, which demonstrated their effectiveness during Russia’s military actions in Syria.

With a striking range of up to 2,500 kilometers, the Kalibr system enables these submarines to target locations across Europe or deep into the Arctic, a capability that has drawn the attention of Western defense strategists. According to Jane’s Defence Weekly, at least six Oscar II submarines remain operational in Russia’s fleet, with modernization efforts ensuring their service life extends well into the 2030s.

On the other hand, the Yasen-class submarine marks a significant advancement in Russian naval technology. The lead vessel of this class, Severodvinsk, was commissioned in 2014 after facing several years of development delays, and it is recognized as one of the quietest submarines in Russia’s inventory, a crucial attribute for avoiding detection.

Analysts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlight that the Yasen class submarines are capable of carrying a combination of Kalibr, Oniks, and potentially Zircon hypersonic missiles, with the latter achieving speeds over Mach 8 and a range of up to 1,000 kilometers.

The Yasen-M, an advanced version observed alongside its predecessor, enhances these capabilities. Vessels such as Kazan and Arkhangelsk, which are either already in service or nearing completion, are reported to possess improved stealth features, upgraded electronics, and a reduced crew size, as stated by Russia’s Ministry of Defense and reported by TASS in 2023.

The gathering of these submarines at Zapadnaya Litsa raises concerns regarding Russia’s strategic intentions as the Arctic ice begins to melt with the arrival of spring. Traditionally, this base has been less accessible during winter due to ice and severe weather conditions that restrict naval operations.

The timing of this development indicates that the Northern Fleet may be gearing up for heightened activity in the Barents Sea or beyond, potentially as part of a scheduled exercise or a strategic realignment.

“The Arctic serves as a testing ground for Russia’s submarine fleet,” remarked Dr. Michael Petersen, director of the Russia Maritime Studies Institute at the U.S. Naval War College, during an interview. “Spring typically signals the commencement of operational cycles following winter maintenance, and Zapadnaya Litsa is where they deploy some of their most vital assets.”

While Russia’s Ministry of Defense has not specifically addressed the satellite images, recent official statements have underscored the Northern Fleet’s importance in protecting national interests.

In a January 2025 speech covered by RIA Novosti, Admiral Alexander Moiseev, the commander of the Russian Navy, emphasized the importance of addressing “external threats” in the Arctic, where the melting ice has created new shipping routes and resource opportunities.

The strategic significance of the region has increased alongside rising tensions between Russia and NATO, especially as the alliance has expanded its presence with the inclusion of Finland and Sweden, which joined in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

For NATO, the accumulation of submarines at Zapadnaya Litsa serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by Russia’s underwater capabilities. The base’s proximity to the Norwegian Sea places it within reach of critical maritime routes for the alliance.

The Yasen-M class submarines, in particular, have garnered attention from Western naval forces. A 2022 report from the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence characterized this class as a “significant leap” in Russia’s power projection capabilities, highlighting its ability to operate undetected in contested waters.

Norway, which shares a 196-kilometer land border with Russia, has ramped up its surveillance efforts in the region, deploying P-8 Poseidon aircraft and underwater sensors to track submarine movements, as stated by the Norwegian Armed Forces in late 2024.

Satellite imagery has also offered a rare glimpse into Zapadnaya Litsa, a base that has remained largely secretive since its inception during the Soviet era. Unlike larger installations such as Severomorsk, the headquarters of the Northern Fleet, Zapadnaya Litsa is smaller and primarily focused on submarine operations.

Its remote location—accessible solely via military routes or by sea—has rendered it largely off-limits to outsiders, resulting in a scarcity of unclassified imagery until recently. The commercial satellite provider that captured the images on March 11 has not been disclosed, but firms such as Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs have previously provided similar data, which is frequently utilized by open-source analysts to monitor military activities.

This observation aligns with a larger trend of Russian naval operations in the Arctic. In August 2024, the Northern Fleet executed a significant exercise that included submarines, surface vessels, and aircraft, simulating a defense of the Northern Sea Route, as reported by the Russian Defense Ministry.

The presence of both older and modern submarines at Zapadnaya Litsa indicates a strategy that combines traditional platforms with advanced technology to ensure operational flexibility.

“Russia lacks the capacity to completely overhaul its fleet in a short time,” stated Katarzyna Zysk, a professor at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. “The upgrades to the Oscar II class provide them with a temporary solution while they introduce the Yasen series, keeping NATO uncertain about their future actions.”

The ramifications of this naval configuration reach beyond the Arctic region. The Kalibr and Zircon missiles equipped on these submarines enable Russia to target locations far from its borders, including European capitals and U.S. naval installations, should tensions rise.

The Pentagon’s Arctic Strategy for 2024, published in July, highlights the modernization of Russia’s submarine fleet as a significant concern, emphasizing that these advancements “enhance its ability to challenge U.S. and allied forces across various domains.”

However, the report also pointed out the logistical hurdles that Moscow encounters, such as maintenance delays and budget limitations, which have hindered the progress of the Yasen-M program.

Currently, the submarines stationed at Zapadnaya Litsa are docked, with their crews likely preparing for missions that may take them under the Arctic ice or into open waters. The upcoming spring thaw will offer increased operational flexibility, prompting military analysts to closely monitor any signs of deployment.

It remains uncertain whether this buildup indicates routine maintenance, a demonstration of strength, or the onset of a larger operation. What is clear is that Russia’s submarine fleet, both aging and modern, remains integral to its Arctic strategy, keeping the region a contested area in an increasingly strained global environment.

As satellites continue to observe from above, the forthcoming actions of these underwater vessels are expected to influence the security dynamics for both Russia and its neighboring countries.

The imagery captured on March 11 provides a glimpse into the situation, but the complete narrative—encompassing intent, capability, and implications—will develop in the coming weeks and months as the Northern Fleet operates in the thawing northern waters.