Zaporizhzhia (U-01) () is a Project 641 (Foxtrot-class) diesel-electric powered submarine, and was the only submarine of the Ukrainian Navy up until her seizure in March 2014 by Russian forces during 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea. She formerly carried the Soviet Navy pennant number B-435. Zaporizhzhia was designed at the Rubin Design Bureau (Saint Petersburg).

Captured by Russian forces on 22 March 2014 (during the annexation of Crimea), half of the Ukrainian personnel, among them the captain of the submarine, had left while the others chose to begin their service in the Russian Black Sea Fleet with the submarine.

Zaporizhzhia had a crew of 78, commanded by 1st Rank Capt. Oleh Orlov. The submarine was operated by a reserve unit, having not yet returned to front line duty after her 'refurbishment'.

History

Zaporizhzhias keel was laid down in 1970 at the New Admiralty Shipyard in Leningrad. In January 2007, (Defense Minister) Hrytsenko stated that Ukraine intended to sell Zaporizhzhia.

As of July 2010 Zaporizhzhia was preparing for trials after repairs. All repairs were finished on 17 April 2011. Late June 2013 all long-term maintenance work and tests were completed.

On 22 March 2014, it was reported that the submarine had been taken over by Russian forces after being surrounded and harassed by Russian Navy ships, who demanded its surrender. The commander of the ship reportedly agreed to surrender his ship, then started flying the Russian Navy flag. Zaporizhzhia was placed under Black Sea Fleet control, after Ukrainian symbols were removed from the submarine. Half of the submarine's crew continued to serve in the Russian Navy. On 29 March 2014, the Black Sea Fleet was reported to have refused to add the submarine to its ranks on the grounds that it was obsolete and suffered from a number of technical issues. The Russian Navy then offered to return Zaporizhzhia to Ukraine to either continue its service or to be recycled as scrap-metal. It was reported the submarine would be transferred from the Streletskaya buhta to Yuzhnaya buhta, where the Russian submarine division is. Later sources in the Russian Navy announced that submarine should be returned to Ukrainian Navy. Later (it was reported) Russia decided not to return the submarine to Ukraine. But in mid-May the submarine was scheduled to be returned to Ukraine, where it was likely to become a museum piece. A part of the Ukrainian Navy was then returned to Ukraine but Russia suspended this agreement before returning submarine Zaporizhzhia because/after Ukraine did not renew its unilaterally declared ceasefire on 1 July 2014 in the War in Donbas. Hence Zaporizhzhia was not returned to Ukraine.

As of 29 December 2020, Google Maps imagery showed U-01 afloat and pier-side in Yuzhnaya Bay in Sevastopol surrounded by containment booms, next to Romeo-class submarine S-49.

However, as of 2024, the submarine is no longer present at Sevastopol, and is presumably scrapped.

thumb|250px|"Zaporizhzhia" in Sevastopol bay in 2012

thumb|250px|Diesel-electric submarine "Zaporizhzhia" docked in Sevastopol (2015).

Ship log

From September to November 1970, submarine was at sea for 20 days, 422 hours (236 submerged, 186 surfaced). The vessel traveled while surfaced and while submerged. The submarine completed 15 submerges, and used 125 tons of fuel.

During the service in the Atlantic Ocean in June through December 1971, the submarine was at sea for 210 days. It traveled while surfaced and while submerged. The submarine completed 71 submerges, and used 825 tons of fuel. During 27 June to 10 August 1972 Zaporizhzhia underwent medium repairs.

From July to October 1994, the submarine was at sea for 16 days. The submarine travelled while surfaced and while submerged. In January 1995 Zaporizhzhia traveled only in 4 hours while being towed.

Armament

Main torpedoes used are: 53-51, 53-39, 53-61, 53-65, САЕТ-60.

Torpedo tubes are 533 mm (1.75 ft) diameter, and 8.145 m (26.7 ft) long. Tubes are placed 700 mm (2.3 ft) away from each other.

Also carries 12 extra torpedoes – 22 total.

Can also carry 32 MTD type mines or 26 PM-2 or RM-2 type mines.

Can be equipped with 4 MANPADS.

See also

  • Military of Ukraine

Notes

References

  • UNIAN news agency photo
  • Submarine in Dry dock
  • 72 Photos of Ukrainian Submarine
  • Ukrainian, Italian Navies To Conduct Joint Exercise in Black Sea in 2006
  • Ukrainian submarine Zaporizhzhia is docked at coordinates
  • Last "Foxtrot" of Soviet fleet(In Ukrainian)