Russia’s Pacific Military Buildup: Nuclear Submarines and Indo-Pacific Ambitions Amid the Ukraine War

Introduction

Despite mounting resource constraints from its protracted war in Ukraine, Russia has intensified efforts to bolster its military presence in the Pacific, prioritizing nuclear submarine capabilities to assert itself as an Indo-Pacific power. This strategic pivot underscores Moscow’s ambition to counterbalance U.S. influence, secure energy-rich Arctic routes, and strengthen alliances with regional actors like China and North Korea. Over the past two years, Russia’s Pacific Fleet has added seven submarines, including advanced nuclear-powered vessels armed with hypersonic missiles, while navigating industrial bottlenecks and manpower shortages. This report examines the drivers, capabilities, and implications of Russia’s Pacific militarization and its interplay with the Ukraine conflict.