The third submarine of the Project 955 Borey class, Vladimir Monomakh, left covered dock at the Sevmash plant on December 30, 2012. Construction of the ship, which began in 2006, will continue. Vladimir Monomakh is expected to begin sea trials in 2013 and might be ready to enter service in 2014. It is the last submarine of the Project 955 class with 16 Bulava launchers on board - the next boat, Prince Vladimir, is built as a Project 955A submarine.

Earlier, the Navy announced that the first Project 955 submarine, Yuri Dolgorukiy, will be accepted for service on 30 December 2012. This procedure, however, was postponed and would probably take place in January 2013. No reason for the change of plans was given.

UPDATE 01/03/13: According to CAST blog, Sevmash and the navy signed the acceptance act on 29 December 2012. It was only the formal flag-raising ceremony that was postponed.

UPDATE 01/08/13: The flag raising ceremony will take place on January 10, 2013.