Karelia submarine of the Project 667BDRM/Delta IV class is preparing to resume service after an overhaul that included refueling of the reactor. The submarine carries 16 Sineva/R-29RM missiles, each capable of carrying four warheads. It is based in Gadzhievo, in the Northern Fleet.

Before going into this overhaul, Karelia was fairly active. It took part in the strategic exercises on 19 February 2022 and on 17 October 2019. It appears that it underwent a major overhaul in 2004-2009.

The TASS report quotes the head of the All-Russian Society to Support the Fleet as saying that the submarine can remain in service until 2038. There is no official confirmation of this information, though. The submarine was laid down in 1986 and entered service in October 1989.

UPDATE: Another Project 667BDRM submarine, Bryansk, was seen going to sea on 28 May 2026. Bryansk entered overhaul in December 2017, but apparently completed it in December 2024. This means that with the return of Karelia, all five Project 667BDRM submarines are in service. The submarines are part of the 31st Submarine Division based in Gadzhiyevo. Note that while the current plan is to operate these submarines until about 2038, earlier it was expected that they would be replaced by new submarines around 2029.

Image: Karelia during the 19 February 2022 exercise (Ministry of Defense video)