The End of Admiral Kuznetsov: Symbol of Russia’s Naval Decline
Russia is on the verge of decommissioning its only aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, a ship that has long been a symbol of Russian naval misfortune and decline. After years of failed modernization attempts, a series of catastrophic accidents, and devastating fires, Russian media report that the ship may soon be permanently dismantled.
An Aircraft Carrier Turned Burden Admiral Kuznetsov, operational since the early 1990s, was once the pride of the Russian fleet but also a symbol of its troubles. The ship suffered numerous serious incidents, including a massive fire in 2019 that engulfed over 600 square meters and burned for nearly 24 hours, injuring 14 people and killing two sailors. The cause? A welding spark ignited diesel fuel.
Modernization That Never Finished Repairs and upgrades have been repeatedly halted, and a final decision on the ship’s fate is expected soon from the Russian Navy’s top command and the United Shipbuilding Corporation. The project may be abandoned, meaning Russia would lose its only aircraft carrier operational capability, at a time when NATO and China are rapidly expanding their fleets.
A Relic of the Past in Modern Warfare Former Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Sergei Avakyants openly stated that traditional aircraft carriers are relics of the past—expensive, inefficient, and vulnerable to modern weapons. His words reflect the reality facing the Russian Navy, which struggles to maintain complex maritime systems due to sanctions and limited shipbuilding capacity.
Symbolism and Consequences Losing Admiral Kuznetsov would not just be a technical setback but a symbolic blow to Russia’s naval power. While Russia struggles with an aging fleet, other powers invest in new carriers and maritime technologies. Is this the end of Russia’s naval era or just the beginning of bigger problems?
Got thoughts on this ship that’s been on the brink of disaster more times than we can count but still kept afloat? Drop a comment below—time to say goodbye or is there still hope?
Sources: B92, Index.hr
