I don't know much about Yasen. But I've heard the turbine/electric propulsion system in question has been considered as a refit for the Ohio class. I don't know more but I'm sure there is information out there.
Historically the reduction gearing between a submarine's reactor's steam turbine and the main propeller shaft has been a major source of emitted sound (we're talking huge amounts of horsepower to transmit) and no small effort has been made in that area to reduce it by as much as possible.
It's worth pointing out that using electric motors for creeping is not a new idea in Soviet/Russian designs but I think this would be the first time more than 3-5 knots is the goal.
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