The deployment of the nuclear cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov" to Severomorsk after modernization, according to Military Watch Magazine, confirmed Russia's main military priority in the Arctic – the protection of the naval component of nuclear deterrence.
The authors of the publication noted that the modernized heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser of Project 1144 "Orlan" after returning to service was sent specifically to the main base of the Northern Fleet. According to MWM, this choice emphasizes the strategic importance of Severomorsk and the ship's role in defending the deployment areas of Russian nuclear ballistic missile submarines.
The publication notes that Severomorsk remains one of Russia's most important naval facilities. It houses the headquarters of the Northern Fleet, and nearby are bases for strategic missile submarines. Thanks to the ice-free Kola Bay, ships can access the Barents Sea and the North Atlantic year-round.
According to Military Watch, the modernized "Admiral Nakhimov" is capable of becoming one of the key elements of defense for the so-called "bastion" zone in the Barents Sea. Its modern air defense and anti-submarine warfare systems, as well as strike weapons, allow it to cover the patrol areas of strategic submarines.
The authors of the publication also recall that during the Cold War, "Orlan" class cruisers were designed to combat NATO carrier groups, protect Soviet submarines, and operate in the North Atlantic. Now, according to MWM, their primary role has shifted towards ensuring the security of naval strategic nuclear forces.