A Warm Fuzzy for the Russians

Nukes are the only thing that stand between Russia and invasion should another state or coalition decide they want large chunks of Russian territory. The sailing of the first Borei will help reduce the incentive for an enemy to launch a disarming nuclear strike on Russia by keeping a secure nuclear deterrent in service.

Russians will breathe a little easier:

The Yury Dolgoruky, which carries 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, is the first of a new series of Borei-class submarines that will replace older Soviet-built ships. Another submarine of the same type is currently undergoing sea trials and two others are now under construction.

President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Yuri Dolgoruky's crew during a conference call Thursday, hailing the ship as a "powerful weapon that will guarantee our security."

I'm happy, too. The Russians have been having problem with the new Bulava missile. Those problems seem to be solved. We don't want to invade Russia and it is better to have Russians less worried that their nuclear deterrent is at risk.

Not that the Russians won't find something else to be paranoid about. But a warm fuzzy for their nuclear survivability is a nice thing for them to have.