Russia's continuing bastion strategy

How successful will Russia be in resurrecting the bastion strategy?

The strategy never disappeared, but Russia's ability to enforce a protected bastion has eroded and depends on rebuilding the surrounding force.

In this May 2025 assessment, Russia has retained the bastion strategy while losing much of its ability to enforce it. Recovery is considered unlikely while the war in Ukraine absorbs so many resources. The Northern Fleet has nevertheless received some protection from wartime pressures, with new Yasen- and Borei-family submarines entering service. That continued investment qualifies judgments based only on poor surface-fleet performance. The submarine arm is treated as the part of Russia's navy that Western planners should take most seriously.