K-27 and K-159 to "Surface" from the Bottom: Two Sunken Soviet Nuclear Submarines Planned for Recovery in Russia

Russia plans to raise two sunken Soviet nuclear submarines - K-27 645 ZhMT and K-159 Project 627A "Kit". Work will begin in 2027, according to Rosatom.

The project will be financed from the federal budget for 2026-2028. The amount of allocations has not yet been disclosed.

The state program for the development of the nuclear energy industry also provides funds for the safe handling of radioactive waste and the disposal of nuclear legacy facilities. Over 30 billion rubles are planned to be allocated for these purposes over three years.

K-27 and K-159 are among the seven Soviet and Russian nuclear submarines that sank in the world's oceans. K-27 is the only submarine built according to Project 645 ZhMT; the submarine was commissioned in 1963. In 1968, an accident occurred on the submarine, leading to radioactive contamination and the death of nine crew members.

K-159 was commissioned at the same time. It sank during towing in 2003 while in Snezhnogorsk.

The need to dispose of these submarines has been discussed in Russia for over 10 years. Metal corrosion is leading to a deterioration in the condition of the submarines. This makes the future recovery more difficult.

Earlier,www1.ru reported that the nuclear submarines "Arkhangelsk" and "Knyaz Pozharsky" will soonjoin the Russian Navy.

Read also materials on the topic:

• Strengthening the nuclear triad: Russian Navy to receive new nuclear submarines this year
• "We have passed this hump": Rosatom and the Marine Board discussed the elimination of the dangerous nuclear legacy of the Navy
• Russia is developing submarines for operation in flooded mines