Russia Deploys Anti-Drone Nets Over Nuclear Submarine at Kamchatka Base

Russia has installed anti-drone nets over a nuclear-powered submarine and parts of the pier at its Rybachy base in Kamchatka, according to satellite analysis reviewed on August 2.

The development was identified by OSINT analyst MT Anderson, who examined Maxar satellite imagery showing the presence of nets at the base, located in Krasheninnikov Bay. The Rybachy base is a key facility for the Russian Pacific Fleet and houses submarines capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

The submarine under the netting appears to be a Project 949A Antey nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine, classified by NATO as Oscar II. These submarines are designed to carry long-range nuclear and conventional missiles.

Initially, Anderson suggested the nets might serve as camouflage or physical protection against drone incursions. However, a follow-up photograph from the same base confirmed the defensive nature of the installation. The image shows Russian naval personnel walking on the gangway of the submarine, with overhead nets clearly visible, covering both the vessel and surrounding infrastructure.

The presence of anti-drone nets suggests heightened Russian concern over potential long-range drone or sabotage attacks on its strategic nuclear assets—even those based far from Ukraine.

Earlier this year, Ukrainian defence intelligence reportedly obtained classified information related to another nuclear submarine, the 955A Borey-A class K-555 Knyaz Pozharsky, further pointing to the vulnerability of Russia’s nuclear forces.