RF Dmitry Donskoi (TK-208)

The Donskoi, as seen in-game

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## Background History

The Dmitry Donskoi was the lead vessel of the Soviet third generation project 941 Akula class (NATO reporting name: "Typhoon").

The ship was laid down during June 30, 1976; launched during September of 1980; and commissioned during December 29, 1981. The ship is currently in active service within the Russian Navy.

## Overview

The Dmitry Donskoi represents the epitome of firepower among the affordable tier 3 submarines. Its numerous missile slots and satisfactory durability will give even the most experienced rival players a headache.

## Tactics

**Playing as a Dmitry Donskoi**

Owing to its large missile artillery, the ship can send a wave of missiles to targeted ships and deal heavy damage when unopposed. In order to get the best results, its advised to arm the ships with swarmers alongside the heavier missiles. The Swarmers distract the Anti air defenses of ships, and the heavier missiles can strike the target without a scratch from the aforementioned anti air weapons.

Take warning of enemy ships with anti-submarine capabilities, as they will be the greatest threat to the ship. Seek the coverage of allies when there are hostile aircraft present.

An effective tactic to maintaining the submarine's survivability is to dive whenever enemy missiles are heading towards the ship, and then re-surface for a short period of time to fire missiles again.

**Playing alongside a Dmitry Donskoi**

Whenever there are enemy aircraft present, provide anti air cover for an allied Dmitry Donskoi. The ship is utterly defenseless against aircraft.

As a submarine player, try attacking with an allied Donskoi and other submarines in a wolf pack, so as to supplement and maximize your damage against any enemy ships.

**Playing against a Dmitry Donskoi**

The Dmitry Donskoi, as menacing as it may be, often suffers from severe disadvantages even at the best of conditions for it. The ships lack of anti air defense makes it an easy target for aircraft carriers, and its slow speed makes it vulnerable if it fails to catch up with its allies.

Try attacking a lone Donskoi with torpedoes or depth charges from the K-58 helicopter. Submarines struggle to shake off incoming torpedoes. Aircraft carriers especially have a large advantage when using aircraft that are armed with torpedoes.

## Suggested Armaments Setup

The ship, with its flexible armaments setup, can be armed with various weapons that will furthermore improve the ship's performance. Below are some suggested weapons setup. But, bear in mind that these are just suggestions.

* Missile battery (first slot): RUM-139 Swarmer, UGM-133 Trident II, RSM 53/56 Bulava or Zircon.
* Missile battery (second slot): RUM-139 Swarmer, UGM-133 Trident II, RSM 53/56 Bulava or Zircon.
* Missile battery (third slot): RUM-139 Swarmer, UGM-133 Trident II, RSM 53/56 Bulava or Zircon.
* Missile battery (fourth slot): RUM-139 Swarmer, UGM-133 Trident II, RSM 53/56 Bulava or Zircon.
* Torpedoes: TA 53-65 K (533 mm).

## Advantages and Disadvantages

### Advantages.

* The submarine possesses a large missile artillery, allowing it to be equipped with several missiles simultaneously.
* Satisfactory durability, which can increase significantly when upgraded.

### Disadvantages.

* Least maneuverable tier 3 submarine, on par with the Type 100 Submarine.
* Second lowest oxygen capacity among tier 3 submarines.

## Trivia

* The ship and its sister ships hold the title as the largest submarines built. They dwarf the USN's Ohio Class SSBNs.
* The ship is named in honor of Dmitry Donskoy, the grand prince of Moscow.
* On the 0.45.8 update (realeased globally during September 21, 2021; the ship's default durability was increased from 104,000 to 160,000 and its default oxygen capacity decreased from 200 to 170. This was once again increased to 200,000 in an update in late 2021.
* The ship used to cost 16,000,000 dollars; but was increased to 19,500,000 on January 17, 2022.

## Gallery

An enemy Dmitriy Donskoi lifting an allied Ushakov.A Dmitry Donskoy being attacked by a WZ-19 CAIC helicopter.