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Yankee-class subs were the first Soviet ballistic missile submarines with firepower comparable to
that of their U.S. counterparts. The Yankee-class submarines were significantly quieter than Hotel-class submarines
due to a smoother hull shape, special propeller design, exterior sound-deadening coatings,
and other modifications.
Several subs in the class were modified, such as the K-403 and K-411, whose missile
compartments were converted to carry miniature submarines.
In 1986, on K-219, a missile-fuel leak caused an explosion and a resulting fire killed
four people. The ship sank off the U.S. East Coast (about the disaster).
All but two Yankee submarines have been decommissioned and have had their missile compartments cut
out to comply with the START II arms-reduction treaty.
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