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Zaporizhzhya / Zaporozhye
Class: SSK Foxtrot (Project 641K)

The St.Andrew's flag of the Russian Navy was raised on Ukraine's only submarine, the Zaporizhzhia, on 22 March 2014. The Zaporizhzhia, commissioned in 1970, will join the Russian Black Sea Fleet, which previously had three submarines. Captain 1st Rank Anatoly Varochkin, the commander of the Black Sea Fleet's submarine flotilla, told RIA Novosti that half of the Zaporizhzhia's crew, including the captain, refused to serve in the Russian Navy and left the vessel. "Half of the submarine's crew is ready to serve [Russia] and fulfill their tasks. They know their vessel and will continue service," Varochkin said adding that the submarine was in a poor technical condition. The submarine will be relocated to Yuzhnaya Bay where the Russian Black Sea is based. Submarines of this type are most efficient in the Black Sea as they feature low radar and noise signatures. Russia, Bulgaria, and Romania also have one submarine each in the Black Sea. This obsolete Soviet-era Foxtrot class (Project B-641) was laid down at Novoadmiralteyskyi Plant (Leningrad) 42 years ago, on January 20, 1971. She was included in the USSR North Fleet in February 1971; participated in large-scale USSR Navy exercises, and visited Cuba, Morocco, Syria. In 1997 she was handed over to the Ukrainian Navy. Three were planned for transfer but were found to be inoperable, stripped and in generally poor condition. Combat systems were not operational at time of transfer; the vessel was not operational at all. Class built 1957-68, this unit had been "under repairs" since 1991.

November 24, 1970, credited the red banner northern fleet. From May 1971 to December 28, 1971, completed the tasks of combat service in the North-East Atlantic for a period of 210 days, during which the 31.10.1971 year 09.11.1971 year paid an official visit to Havana (Cuba) during Combat Service fixed 5 contacts with foreign submarines. From 3 January to September 29, 1977 year completed the tasks of combat service in the Mediterranean Sea, comprising 69 Brigade PLPL 4-th Squadron PLPL CSF. With June 30, 1977 to July 4, 1977, paid a visit to Tunisia. The December 30, 1982 to June 30, 1983 year completed the tasks of combat service in the North-East Atlantic. In 1989, completed the tasks the two Armed Services. In the summer of 1990, translated by inland waterway systems of the White Sea (black) w the Azov Sea to the Black Sea. August 27, 1990 year b-435 is listed in the CRIMEAN BLACK SEA FLEET.

Ukraine received the Zhaporozye submarine (following the division of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet. Ukraine's only submarine would become operational again in the spring of 2011, after almost 10 years under repairs, Chief of Staff Rear Adm. Yuriy Ilyin said on 02 November 2010. Sea trials were to start in December and continue through May, he said. Though the submarine was built 40 years ago, the vessel had been upgraded with new equipment and certainly raised the combat capability of the Ukrainian navy.

January 20, 1971, built on the Novoadmiraltejskom shipyard in Leningrad, the submarine was incorporated into the USSR Navy (order of the Commander of the DKBF No. -018 dated January 20, 1971 onwards). The anniversary came Jan. 22, 2011 with more than hundreds of Veterans-submariners from Zaporozhye, Odessa, Kharkov, Nikolaev, Kherson, Kirovograd, CIS countries. After the ceremonial flag raising and builds NAVAL forces of Ukraine held a meeting, at which the crowd turned the Commander of naval forces of Ukraine's armed forces, Admiral Victor Maksimov. Admiral in the welcoming speech, said: "the current crew continues traditions of valour and exploits," Zaporozhye "was an example to other naval teams in endurance and unity crew, stumble upon a friendship and camaraderie."

The commander said: "the military Council, the command of the naval forces of Ukraine are grateful to the staff of submarine" Zaporozhye ", which does everything for successful completion of the repair work and release day approaches a ship at sea". Maximov said confident command of the fleet in realizing the overall objective-after testing and preparing for the challenges of the boats to their destination.

On December 15, 2010 PL U01 "Zaporizhzhe began the first phase of the mooring trials and successfully finished the December 31, 2010 year.Have been tested to work the ship's main power plant, as well as serving its systems and tools, part of the obsekorabel'noj system, refurbished and mounted sonar, communications technology. The most extensive, time-consuming work of mooring trials conducted at the main power plant. To this end, the boat was given to the so-called "kick", which is its "nose" is located in a special device. Verified work, both diesel engines and shafts, bearings, propeller, relevant systems and mechanisms. Observations in the work units and mechanisms have been eliminated. The test involved personnel, representatives of the 13-th shipyard of Russian Black Sea fleet, CDB chornomorets.

Now the preparation for the second phase of the test, which provides mooring forging equipment of warhead, navigation, radio-technical armament. The personal challenge of submarine sostvom until 15 February fully finish the mooring trials, then start preparations for sea trials.According to the decision of the Minister of defence of Ukraine m. Yezhel, sea trials of the submarine "Zaporizhzhe» Ukrainian Navy be held until May 31, 2010. In accordance with the agreements reached in the summer of 2010, the Defence Ministers of Russia and Ukraine agreed to the Russian exercises in the fall of 2010 took part the four Ukrainian officers-submariners from a submarine U01 "Zaporizhzhe. From 6 to 15 October, they have undergone training in jobs's officers and commanders of the military units, on board the Russian submarine b-871 ALROSA.

Ukraine’s only submarine, the Zaporozhye, left the port of Sevastopol on the Black Sea for sea trials for the first time after many years of repairs 25 April 2012. The Soviet-era Foxtrot class (Project 641) diesel-electric submarine stood grounded at a dock in Sevastopol for years without repair and became a symbol of the demise of Ukraine’s navy. Russian engineers repaired and serviced the submarine and a crew of Ukrainian submariners was trained at Russian naval bases.

“The sea trials of the Zaporozhye submarine is an important event for the Ukrainian navy,” Defense Minister Dmytro Salamatin said. “Successful sea trials will ensure the revival of Ukraine’s submarine fleet.” The trials, scheduled until April 27, will test the submarine’s power plant and other key equipment while sailing on surface.

On 21 January 2013 Sevastopol hosted official events on Zaporizhzhia submarine passing into service. Many officials arrived to greet the militaries with this anniversary. Capt. 2nd Rank Robert Shagayev, Commander of Zaporizhzhia submarine stressed that previous year was very intensive and successful for submarine crew. “Last year, Zaporizhzhia participated in Joint Ukrainian-Russian exercise Farvater Miru, completed trials and submerged at periscope depth, as well as participated in joint celebration of the Ukraine’s Fleet Day and the Russian Federation Navy’s Day in Sevastopol,” said the commander.

Ukraine's only submarine, the Zaporizhzhia, raised the Russian flag on 22 March 2014. According to the Kryminform news agency, no ships under Ukrainian flags were left in Crimea.