Category: Moscow

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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Today marks the 140th anniversary of the birth of Alexei Nikolaevich Asafov, the designer of the first Soviet submarines. He was a 1911 graduate of the St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute and a talented engineer who made a significant contribution to the development of shipbuilding in the USSR.

Alexey Asafov was born on March 18, 1886, in Kronstadt, the son of a steamship factory worker. His childhood among ships shaped his dream of becoming a marine engineer. To this end, he enrolled in the St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute, which provided fundamental engineering training.

After graduating from the Polytechnic Institute in 1911, Asafov began his career at the Admiralty Shipyard, where he participated in the construction of the battleship Gangut. There, fate introduced him to the distinguished shipbuilder Ivan Grigoryevich Bubnov. In 1912, Alexey Nikolaevich transferred to the Baltic Shipyard in the submarine department, and then went to Revel (Tallinn), where he spent five years building Bars-class submarines—the best submarines in the Russian Navy at the time.

After the revolution, the engineer returned to Petrograd. Amid devastation and famine, he took charge of submarine repairs at the Admiralty and Baltic Shipyards. Thanks to his efforts, the submarines Panther, Okun, Minoga, and others were returned to service.

In the 1920s, Asafov became the head of Sevzapvoenprom, and then the chief engineer of the Sestroretsk arms factory.

In 1928, Alexey Asafov was arrested in the Industrial Party case. But his engineering talent proved in demand even in prison. He was assigned to the Special Technical Bureau (OTB) of the OGPU, organized on the premises of the Baltic Shipyard.

It was here, as a prisoner, that he proposed the revolutionary idea of a high-speed squadron submarine for joint operations with surface ships. The project was approved at a meeting of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR, where the engineer, who had not yet been released, was admitted. In 1931, construction began on three submarines of Series IV, the Pravda class, named after the newspaper of the same name. The series was considered less than successful, but it became an important experimental testing ground and the prototype for the famous K-class.

Released in 1932, Asafov was appointed chief engineer of OKTB-2 and began work on his main project. His task was to create a small submarine capable of being transported by rail to strengthen the Pacific Fleet.

Thus, the VI series—the M-type (or "Baby") submarines—was born. These were the world's first submarines with a welded hull, which increased strength and reduced weight. The boats were easily transported in sections and assembled on site.

However, during testing of the lead boat, due to unprepared production, according to shipbuilders, the "Malyutka" was built with a riveted hull. This resulted in unsatisfactory results. Asafov was arrested again on charges of sabotage.

Alexei Nikolaevich Asafov did not complete the work he had begun. He died on February 21, 1933, of a severe illness while returning from Germany. He is buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Leningrad.

After his death, the engineer's previously rejected proposals were implemented, and the M-type boats went into mass production. A total of 30 boats were built to his design, and subsequent modifications (Series XII) became even more widespread. These "Malutkas" served faithfully during the Great Patriotic War.

It was only on September 24, 1990, that Alexey Nikolaevich Asafov was posthumously rehabilitated. Today, we remember him as one of the founders of Soviet submarine construction, whose engineering genius and tragic fate are inextricably linked with the history of the country and our university.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

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A delegation from the State University of Management, led by Rector Vladimir Stroyev, paid a return visit to the All-Russian Academy of Foreign Trade (VAVT) to discuss future areas of cooperation.

Representatives of the State University of Management were met by the Rector of the Russian Academy of Foreign Trade, Vittoria Idrisova; the Vice-Rector for Continuing Professional Education, Alexander Nikitenko; the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Olga Kulikova; and the Director of the Methodological Center for Improving Education in Foreign Economic Activity, Anna Badulina.

Guests were given a tour of the campus, including learning spaces, gyms, a swimming pool, recording studios, an auditorium, and other facilities that support students' full development.

After the walk, representatives from the educational institutions moved on to discussing areas of cooperation, beginning with the previously raised issue of establishing a working group within the Eurasian Network University. Vladimir Stroyev invited representatives from the Russian Academy of Foreign Trade to attend the next ENU meeting in May, which will be attended by members of the Eurasian Economic Commission, the State Duma, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and others, to learn about the consortium's work firsthand.

In response, Vittoria Idrisova invited the rector's office of the State University of Management to the Academy's anniversary celebration, which will take place on May 22.

Dmitry Bryukhanov, Vice-Rector of the State University of Management, proposed launching a joint online educational program, noting our university's significant experience in this area, as several similar agreements have been concluded this year alone. The Vice-Rector also recalled that the Ministry of Education and Science's Interregional Educational and Methodological Center for Project-Based Learning operates at the State University of Management and invited the participants to learn more about its activities.

Maria Karelina, Vice-Rector of the State University of Management, discussed potential areas of collaboration in scientific projects, including cross-border trade and engineering.

Pavel Pavlovsky, Vice-Rector of the State University of Management, presented the results of participation in the "Service-Learning" project, cited examples of successful projects and collaborations with a number of partner universities and organizations, and invited participants to participate in the "Family History. Immortal Memory" competition, an important national initiative initiated by the State University of Management.

As a result of the meeting, the parties strengthened their resolve to conclude a cooperation agreement and agreed to coordinate its main areas in a working manner.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: March 18, 2026.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.