Leninsky Komsomol K-3, first Soviet`s nuclear submarine Leninskiy Komsomol, was the lead boat of 14 Western designated November class/Soviet`s Kit SSNs-nuclear powered submarines. The first Soviet nuclear powered submarine was laid down by Shipyard 402, Severodvinsk, on September 9, 1957; launched August 9, 1957 and commissioned on July 1st, 1958. K-3 was stationed at Zapadnaya Litsa. The submarine`s first commander was L.G. Osipenko. On July 17, 1962, K-3 was the first Soviet submarine to reach the North Pole. The reactors were seriously damaged in June 1962 as a result of a fire and subsequent problems in the cooling system. The submarine was towed to Severodvinsk where the decision was made not to deactivate the reactor. The reactor compartment was therefore cut out and transported away to be dumped in Abrosimova Bay in the Kara Sea. One of the reactors was dumped with its fuel. A new section with two reactors was then installed, but in 1967 another accident occurred affecting this section. The Leninskiy Komsomol was stricken off navy list in 1991. Today there are plans for the construction company Malakhit to turn K-3 into a museum. Back to History Index Image Country Year Description USSR - Soviet Union 1970 Leninsky Komsomol, first Soviet nuclear powered submarine (SSN November class) USSR - Soviet Union 1970 Leninsky Komsomol, first Soviet nuclear powered submarine (SSN November class) USSR - Soviet Union 9999 Leninsky Komsomol, first Soviet nuclear powered submarine (SSN November class), 21 August 1970 Russia 9999 50th anni` of the North Fleet, first Russian nuclear powered submarine Leninsky Komsomol K-3, Murmansk, 15 April 2009