Russian submarine Orel

History

She was laid down at the Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk on 19 January 1989. From 1991 to 1993 she was known as Severodvinsk, but was renamed Orel on 20 March 1993 or 6 April 1993 and entered service with the Russian Navy that same year. Between May 2004 and September 2007 her commander was Valery Varfolomeyev, an officer who had first joined the submarine as assistant commander in June 1998, and then became senior assistant to the commander from April 2000.

The Russian newspaper Izvestia reported that Orel is to be overhauled in 2013. She is to have her shaft-line changed to correct problems during construction that left her very easily tracked by sonar. Additionally, her P-700 Granit (NATO codename SS-N-19 Shipwreck) anti-ship submarine launched cruise missiles (SLCM) will be replaced by more modern, supersonic, P-800 Oniks (NATO codename SS-N-26) antiship SLCMs. The overhaul was completed and the ship returned to service in 2017.

2015 fire

Whilst in dock at the Zvezdochka shipyard on 7 April 2015, it was reported that a fire broke out "in the ninth section of the sub close to the stern". The fire was caused by insulation materials catching fire during welding. It was reported the submarine did not have nuclear weapons or fuel on board at the time.

2017

First modernized unit, Project 949AM.

2021

In July 2021, while returning to Northern Fleet waters from Navy Day commemorations in St. Petersburg, Orel was reported to have "lost power" while transiting on the surface through the Danish straits. She was reported to have been assisted by other Russian vessels accompanying her through the straits. The submarine was later reported to have restored power and continued her transit north submerged.

2025

The submarine remained active as of 2025, participating in exercises that included firing a cruise missile salvo in conjunction with the frigate Admiral Golovko and Russian shore-based missile forces.

References

References

1. "Warfare.be".
2. (July 2018). "Marine Nuclear Power:1939 – 2018".
3. A. S. Pavlov, Ударная сила флота. Проект 949А типа (Strike Force of the Fleet. The Project 949A type). (Yakutsk: Sakhapoligraphsats, 2001). http://www.tinlib.ru/tehnicheskie_nauki/udarnaja_sila_flota_podvodnye_lodki_tipa_kursk/p9.php. Accessed 25 January 2013.
4. Simonov, Vitaly. "Варфоломеев Валерий Владимирович". {{ill.
5. Подводный ракетный крейсер К-266 "Орел" пройдет модернизацию (Cruise Missile Submarine K-266 Orel Will Undergo Modernization). http://www.i-mash.ru/news/nov_otrasl/27479-podvodnyjj-raketnyjj-krejjser-k-266-orel-projjdet.html. Accessed 25 January 2013)
6. "ОСК завершила испытания фрегата "Адмирал Макаров" и ремонт АПЛ "Орел"".
7. (7 April 2015). "Nuclear submarine on fire".
8. (7 April 2015). "Russian nuclear submarine 'on fire' in Arctic dock".
9. "Russian nuclear submarine lost propulsion in Danish waters, sails submerged outside Norway now".
10. (29 July 2025). "World’s Largest Cruise Missile Launched By Russian Nuclear Attack Submarine with Ground and Surface Support".