SSK's has limited range and need to periodically return to port for refueling ( else you have to use submarine tenders ) also they need to surface/snorkel every week or so in order to recharge their batteries thus revealing their approximate position to radars and satellites.
SSK accompanying a SSBN would defeat the whole concept of a free ranging Submerged missile carrier as you SSBN's would have to curtail their patrol area and speed in order to keep pace with SSK's which they are unlikely to do as it would reveal their gross position thus making it easier to hunt them.
Artic and the Barents are littoral type areas.
Are there too many resources in the Caucasus?
Cuacasus always sucked out people and resorses from Russia, energy and money without giving anything in return. Russia had to spend a lot of force to stop the uprising Highlanders paid by English.
Russia did not have colonies, so it can not still something.
All wild tribes became part of the Russian Empire and the local wild mountainous become equated to the Russian aristocrats whose ownership could exceed the area of ​​the average European kingdom. Russia has always given savage tribes far more than took from them - this is the difference between Russia and the West.
American Indians long ago rotting in the land of their ancestors, and the natives in Russia have their republics, universities, parliaments, industry.
Vostok,muslims are not worthy of mercy.What Russia did to them was right.Look at what muslims did in India because indian hindus did not believe in Violence and mass murder. I thank you Russians for putting and conquering muslims and ethnic cleansing them.
virginia class is more quiet than any nuclear subs out there. Its probably approaching that of diesel electric sub.
Evidence? I am skeptical after all a swedish SSK outwitted several nuclear submarines.