Ukrainian submarine Zaporizhzhia " Zaporizhzhia " ( U - 01 ) ( ) is a project 641 ( " Foxtrot " class ) diesel - electric powered submarine , and up to March 2014 the only submarine of the Ukrainian Navy . She formerly carried the Soviet Navy pennant number B435 . Zaporizhia was designed at the Rubin Design Bureau ( Saint Petersburg ) . By 22 March 2014 , most of the Ukrainian personnel , among them the captain of the submarine , had left the vessel , while the others had chosen to begin their service in the Russian Black Sea Fleet with the submarine . The submarine will be transferred from the Streletskaya buhta to Yuzhnaya buhta , where the Russian submarine division is . " Zaporizhzhia " had a crew of 78 , commanded by 1st Rank Capt . Oleh Orlov . The submarine was operated by a reserve unit , having not yet returned to front line duty after her refurbishment . History . " Zaporizhzhia ' s " keel was laid down in 1970 at the New Admiralty Shipyard in Leningrad . In 1970 she was commissioned into the Soviet Red Banner Northern Fleet , where she conducted 14 patrols , including a port call in Cuba . In 1990 the submarine was transferred to the Soviet Black Sea Fleet , serving there until 1994 . In 1995 , the submarine ' s batteries permanently failed and she became abandoned without their replacement . In 1997 unable to fix the broken down submarine , the administration of Russian Navy handed it over to the Ukrainian Navy during the partition of the Black Sea Fleet . Like most of the country ' s naval ships , she was renamed after one of Ukraine ' s cities — Zaporizhzhia . The city ' s community began to co - sponsor the ship , especially the accommodational needs of the crew . But it was only in 2003 when Ukrainian government became able to buy a new batteries set abroad and make " Zaporizhzhia ' s " survival real . However , she was immediately placed under repair in Sevastopol . In 2005 , " Zaporizhzhia " was considered for inclusion in the 2006 joint exercise conducted by the Ukrainian Navy and the Italian Navy , but the end of her repair was postponed . Being on a years - long repair , " Zaporizhzhia " was an inactive military unit stated Defense Minister Anatoly Hrytsenko in April 2006 . In January 2007 , ( Defense Minister ) Hrytsenko stated that Ukraine intended to sell " Zaporizhzhia " . As of July 2010 " Zaporizhzhia " was preparing for trials after repairs . All repairs were finished on 17 April 2011 . First trial sail was be finished successfully on 18 July 2012 . Late June 2013 all long - term maintenance work and its test were completed . In March 22 , 2014 , it was reported that the submarine has been taken over by the Russian forces after being surrounded and harassed by Russian Navy ships , demanding its surrender . The commander of the ship reportedly agreed to surrender his ship , then started flying the Russian Navy flag . By now , " Zaporizhzhia " is under Black Sea Fleet control , after completely removed some Ukrainian symbols from the ship . The ship is planned to be towed away from Sevastopol to BSF submarine base , to gather with their submarines . Ship Log . From September to November 1970 , submarine was at sea for 20 days , 422 hours ( 236 submerged , 186 surfaced ) . Traveled while surfaced and while under water . The submarine completed 15 submerges , and used 125 tons of fuel . During the service in Atlantic in June - December 1971 , submarine was at sea for 210 days . It traveled while surfaced and while under water . The submarine completed 71 submerges , and used 825 tons of fuel . During June 27 - August 10 , 1972 " Zaporizhzhia " underwent medium repairs . From July - October 1994 , submarine was at sea for 16 days . Traveled while surfaced and while under water . In January 1995 " Zaporizhzhia " traveled only in 4 hours while being towed . Armament . Main torpedoes used are : 53 - 51 , 53 - 39 , 53 - 61 , 53 - 65 , САЕТ - 60 . Torpedo tubes are 533 mm ( 1 . 75 ft ) diameter , and 8 . 145 m ( 26 . 7 ft ) long . Tubes are placed 700 mm ( 2 . 3 ft ) away from each other . Also carries 12 extra torpedoes . 22 Total . Can also carry 32 MTD type mines or 26 PM - 2 or RM - 2 type mines . Can be equipped with 4 MANPADS . Handheld weapons include : < br > 12 handguns Makarov PM < br > 12 assault rifles ( AK , AKM )