New GUGI underwater surveillance vessel sails for further sea trials, 17 May 2022

Russian Directorate of Deep Sea Research (GUGI) destined NEWCON Pr.02760 oceanographic research vessel (OIS) "Evgeny Gorigledzhan" departed PSZ Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad during the late evening, 17 May 2022 and arrived in anchorage Nr.66 outside Balitysk Naval Base by the early morning 18 May 2022.  Unit was noted loitering until first light & highly likely commenced a further round of manufacturer's sea trials in the southern Baltic Sea during the forenoon. 

Pr.02760 OIS "Evgeny Gorigledzhan" seen departing
 PSZ Yantar shipyard, 25 January 2022

OIS Gorigledzhan was last noted active conducting likely embarked underwater systems testing west of Cape Taran in mid-April 2022. This latest round of sea trials indicates the platform is progressing towards handover which is anticipated later in the year.

OIS Evgeny Gorigledzhan is designed to conduct underwater surveillance activity for the secretive GUGI organisation and is believed to carry up to two crewed submersibles.  In addition, she will almost certainly be capable of operating current and future GUGI-owned underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).   

Further information on the evolution of OIS "Evgeny Gorigledzhan" can be found in this excellent article from Covert Shores HERE

Russian Navy Lada class submarine B-585 "Khronstadt" gets underway, 13 May 2022

Russian Navy Baltic Fleet Type 677 Lada class (H02) conventional diesel-electric submarine (SSK) B-585 "Khronstadt" departed Admiralty shipyard during the forenoon, 13 May 2022 for unidentified activity.

T677 B-585 "Khronstadt" seen at Admiralty shipyard
(library picture)

This latest underway period, which is expected to last around 10 days, is likely an INDEX certification cruise which may include onboard system calibration and/or defect rectification coupled with crew proficiency training.  Whilst it could be a further sonar calibration run this is thought to be less likely due to the anticipated duration.  

B-585 "Khronstadt" was last noted active conducting sonar calibration trails in the Gulf of Finland, 4-8 May 2022 and is expected to join the Russian Navy Baltic Fleet mid to late 2022.

Russian Navy Lada class submarine B-585 "Khronstadt" completes sonar calibration trials, 4-8 May 2022

 Russian Navy Baltic Fleet Type 677 Lada class (H02) conventional diesel-electric submarine (SSK) B-585 "Khronstadt" completed sonar calibration trails in the Gulf of Finland, 4-8 May 2022.  B-585 sailed from Admiralty shipyard during the forenoon, 4 May 2022 and Russian Navy social media posts issued on 5 May 2022 showed B-585 transiting south from Admiralty with the sonar calibration rig clearly visible on the forward casing (see images below).

B-585 proceeded west & was noted operating in the central Gulf of Finland between late PM 4 May to late PM on 7 May.  It is interesting to note that whilst the submarine appeared to be operating alone, there is a realistic possibility B-585 was supported by Khronstadt based Pr.745MBS Sorum class tug "Viktor Konetskiy" & an unidentified Khronstadt based minor war vessel (likely for security). 

T677 Lada class SSK B-585 "Khronstadt" with sonar calibration
boom attached, 4 May 2022

B-585 departed the work area late PM 7 May and commenced a return transit back to Admiralty shipyard where she arrived during the forenoon 8 May 2022.  

T677 Lada class SSK B-585 "Khronstadt" heading for
sonar calibration trials, 4 May 2022 

This underway period builds upon a first and second second set of manufacturer's sea trials & supplements an independent exercise (INDEX) period carried out within the Gulf of Finland between 26 April - 1 May 2022.  This incremental activity is a strong indicator the platform is approaching maturity & is highly likely on target to join the Baltic Fleet order-of-battle mid-2022.