Even as the Ukraine war drains resources, Vladimir Putin is betting on the future. Russia has laid the keel for its ninth Yasen-M nuclear attack submarine, signalling long-term plans for undersea rivalry with NATO. Armed with Kalibr, Oniks and Zircon hypersonic missiles, the new Murmansk submarine highlights Moscow’s determination to strengthen its strategic fleet despite wartime pressures. With more Yasen-M boats under construction and NATO warning of growing Russian threats, analysts say the battle for Europe may increasingly shift beneath the seas rather than on land.
