MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. A division of special-purpose submarines armed with Poseidon nuclear-capable torpedoes is due to come into operation in the Russian Pacific Fleet by early 2025, a source close to the Defense Ministry told TASS on Monday.

"The decision on setting up a division of nuclear-powered submarines in Kamchatka has been made. This will take place in December 2024 or in the first half of 2025," the source said.

TASS has no official confirmation of this information yet.

TASS earlier reported that the construction of coastal infrastructure facilities for a new naval base to accommodate the Belgorod and Khabarovsk special-purpose nuclear-powered submarines carrying Poseidon nuclear-capable super-torpedoes would be completed early next year.

The new division that the Russian Pacific Fleet is setting up within its submarine forces will also comprise other submarines in addition to the Belgorod and Khabarovsk subs. The new special-purpose submarines will deal with strategic deterrence, a source close to Russia’s Defense Ministry earlier told TASS.

As TASS reported earlier, the nuclear-powered submarine Belgorod will continue its service within the Russian Pacific Fleet. The sub will receive the first ammunition load consisting of Poseidon nuclear-powered, nuclear-capable super-torpedoes. The ceremony of delivering the Project 09852 submarine to the Fleet without its basic armament took place on July 8, 2022. Currently, the Belgorod is undergoing its operational evaluation in the Russian Northern Fleet.

The Project 09851 nuclear-powered submarine Khabarovsk is at the final stage of its construction at the Sevmash Shipyard (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation).