Russia's nuclear submarine returns home after Arctic voyage

The Russian Navy's Northern Fleet on Thursday welcomed the nuclear submarine Yuri Dolgoruky back to its base in Gadzhievo, near the port of Murmansk, following the vessel's first autonomous Arctic voyage.

According to the Yuri Dolgoruky's Captain Vladimir Shirin, the sub has withstood the trip well, and the crew are ready to face new challenges.

Northern Fleet Commander Admiral Vladimir Korolyov told local media that the Yuri Dolgoruky and its crew had once again proven that the Russian Navy's strategic nuclear deterrent remained strong "even under Arctic ice."

Commissioned under the Russian Navy's Project 955, the Yuri Dolgoruky joined Northern Fleet forces in 2013. The sub's crew were voted the Northern Fleet's "Best Submarine Crew" in 2014.