Russian Navy Kilo+ Class Submarine Rostov-na-Donu transits Istanbul towards Black Sea - Feb 13, 2022

Rostov-na-Donu returns home: Russian Navy Black Sea Fleet 4th Independent Submarine Brigade Project 636.3 Improved Kilo class diesel-electric attack submarine Rostov-na-Donu B237 «Ростов-на-Дону» passed northbound through Istanbul strait today and returned to Black Sea after 1 year, 7 months, 21 days (600 days). The submarine is armed with Novator 3M14 (NATO:SSN-30-A) Kalibr-PL cruise missiles. Emergency EPRON access point for rescue operation is marked with an “Э.” on starboard side while the red star with “Р” is displayed for excellence in ‘rockets’ missiles (h/t Yörük Işık) The submarine had transited southbound through Istanbul on June 23, 2020. Article 12 of the 1936 Montreux convention allows Black Sea countries’ submarines to pass through Turkish Straits only for the purpose of joining their base in Black Sea after construction outside of Black Sea, or, only for repairs in dockyards outside the Black Sea. During 600 days outside of Black Sea, the Rostov-na-Donu went to Admiralty Yard in St. Petersbur