[KarlKemp]

Azores, not Azov, not Arctic. This place is closer to New York than the Russian Arctic. No sea ice. No drilling (which would be easy to detect).

[eurasiantiger]

Yes, Azores. Submarines are not limited to operating in war zones. Sea ice is not required for drilling, it happens on the ocean floor.

There was a Russian navy submarine in the Sea of Japan right before the recent earthquake. Maybe it is something to look into.