Before the big war "Kolpino" regularly participated in RAF operations in the Mediterranean Sea. Among other things, the submarine launched Kalibras in Syria, striking Islamic State militants. In support of the Assad government hit targets in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Mayadin, Abu Kamali: missiles flew up to 700 km.

Submarines are pretty cool bits of kit. They can offer researchers an unrivaled view of the ocean floor, help search out missing wrecks beneath the waves and can even ferry about the rich and famous, with mixed results. While all that is very cool, there's ...