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Russia may scrap its only aircraft carrier to avoid the embarrassment of towing it around the globe

Pictured in this file image dated August 7, 2010, is the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov at the PD-50 floating dry dock of Shipyard 82. The PD-50 floating dry dock of the shipyard sank while the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov was leaving it on the night of October 29 to 30, 2018. Several people were injured in the accident. (Photo by Lev FedoseyevTASS via Getty Images)

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Russia’s sole aircraft carrier, the long-troubled Admiral Kuznetsov, has long been seen as a bit of an embarrassment for the Kremlin, which fancies itself the world’s alternative to America’s brand of Western geopolitical leadership. Now, however, the Russian government is faced with a far more embarrassing possibility than a simple breakdown: having to tow the damaged carrier halfway around the world in order to reach a dry dock that can make it operational again.

Last October, the dry dock holding the Admiral Kuznetsov caught fire, eventually sinking into the sea and leaving the immobile carrier stranded where it was floating. A large crane that had been attached to the dry dock collapsed onto the carrier’s flight deck during the fire, tearing a large hole and adding to the extensive list of updates and repairs that had already seen repeated delays, thanks to Russia’s struggling economy and recent emphasis on the development of new missile technologies.

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  • Ron M

    Denying them a warm water port was a key objective of the Cold War. It’s a geography problem for them.

  • George E. Hand IV

    Jesus Paste, man… “the fourth is a pile of 40 year old AKs” LOLOL!!
    geo sends

  • Robert C

    Russia was never a maritime nation like the US,UK,Japan, and China. The traditional job of the Russian
    navy was coastal defense and defending its sea borne nuclear deterrent. They need to bit the bullet
    and sell it to the Chinese who could actually rebuild it into a functioning warship or break it up for
    scrap and building material for new frigates and corvettes.

  • Andy T

    In other aircraft carrier news, Abraham Lincoln departed Norfolk on April Fool’s day and is in European theater. Strangely, no photos of belching smoke passing through Gibraltar’s rocks.
    Also:
    in unrelated news: state dept says US citizens should probably avoid Sudan at present. (and probably libya too)
    FWIW:
    the uproar in the American media about Old Smoky trying to make it from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean in fall of 2016? A case study that should be studied in depth in propaganda. And how gullible the American population is in general.
    Russian aircraft carrier on it’s way to Syria!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!
    LOL.

  • Mason

    LOL, even better. I would dive that!