Media: Ukraine claims major hack on Russian nuclear submarine

Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence agency has announced a significant cyber operation, claiming to have obtained classified data on Russia’s newest nuclear submarine, the Knyaz Pozharsky, exposing potential vulnerabilities in Moscow’s strategic Arctic fleet.

The Knyaz Pozharsky, commissioned in late July, is a state-of-the-art Project 955A Borei‑A class submarine, a critical part of Russia’s Northern Fleet and nuclear triad. Based in Gadzhiyevo, Murmansk Oblast, the submarine carries 16 launch silos for R-30 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, each capable of delivering up to ten nuclear warheads, Caliber.Az reports via The Times. 

The stolen files reportedly include detailed crew rosters, combat instructions, technical diagrams of combat systems and survivability measures, operational schedules, and engineering reports.

“The information obtained by the intelligence officers allows us to identify the features and technical limitations of not only the Knyaz Pozharsky but also other submarines of the 955A project, which are critical to maintaining the imperial myth of the aggressor state of Russia,” Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence says. 

This operation follows earlier Ukrainian efforts targeting Russia’s nuclear capabilities, including the June “Spider’s Web” drone attack that destroyed strategic Russian aviation assets. Nuclear policy expert Maxim Starchak described that operation as “undoubtedly a blow to the Kremlin’s pride.”

No independent cybersecurity firms or Western agencies have confirmed the hack, and Russia has not officially acknowledged any breach.

Russia continues to escalate its military presence and rhetoric in the Arctic, where its Northern Fleet conducts regular under-ice patrols and exercises. President Vladimir Putin recently highlighted the importance of Russia’s nuclear triad as “a guarantee of Russia’s sovereignty” and announced plans to deploy six more nuclear submarines by 2030, equipped with unmanned Poseidon nuclear underwater vehicles.

The Arctic remains a key strategic region for Russia due to its natural resources and emerging shipping routes made accessible by melting ice, intensifying competition with China and other powers.

By Sabina Mammadli