Submarine Dives Again 18 Years Later ...

Ukraine’s only submarine, the 'Zaporozhye', underwent first-stage sea trials including running submerged after major refit

The boat was submerged in the Black Sea for the first time in 18 years during the trial, Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Yury Ilyin said.

A Soviet-era Foxtrot class (Project 641) diesel-electric submarine, Zaporozhye was laid up at a dock in Sevastopol for years before its refit.

Though the submarine was built 40 years ago, it has been upgraded with new equipment.

Russian engineers repaired and serviced the submarine and a new crew of Ukrainian submariners was trained at Russian naval bases.

Russia, Bulgaria, and Romania also have submarines based in the Black Sea.