Russia’s lone aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, has been undergoing repairs since 2017 with no clear signs of rejoining the fleet.

Plagued by outdated technology, fires, accidents, and a lengthy overhaul, the ship hasn’t sailed in seven years.

It relies on the antiquated Mazut fuel, and its limited aircraft launch capabilities further highlight the stark contrast between Russia’s fleet and the advanced naval forces of countries like the US and China.

The latter is rapidly expanding its fleet with newer and more capable carriers, while Russia seems to struggle with a single, unreliable ship.

Russian naval ambitions have been subject to much scrutiny, with Western observers skeptical about Kuznetsov’s return to service.

It’s been a while since Russia has offered an update on its lone aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov.

October 2018, the Kuznetsov was damaged when the PD-50 drydock sank, causing a 70-ton crane to punch a 200 square foot hole through the Kuznetsov’s deck.

Then, in 2019, a fire spread through the Kuznetsov. Two workers were killed, fourteen injured, and the Kuznetsov suffered several million dollars worth of damage.

In 2022, another fire broke out (without casualties). And in early 2023, repair work was suspended due to heavy fog in Murmansk.

A few months back, the head of the Russian Navy has suggested that a new aircraft carrier could be in the works – yet, the Kremlin has struggled with the refit for its sole flattop.

However, Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolay Yevmenov told the state-run Krasnaya Zvezda daily news outlet that plans for a new aircraft carrier are underway.

“The issue of the expediency of creating a prospective naval aircraft carrying complex has been addressed. Its engagement will increase the effectiveness of various operational tasks,” suggested Yevmenov, as reported by Tass back in January.

It was also just a year ago that some Russian lawmakers suggested that Moscow should turn to Beijing to buy back the unfinished Soviet-era flattop that Ukraine sold to China following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Furthermore, the ongoing conflict with Ukraine diverts military resources away from naval modernization, and the nature of this primarily land-based war makes the revival of the Kuznetsov a low priority.

Even if Russia manages to bring the Kuznetsov back into service, its limited combat history and technological shortcomings severely constrain its effectiveness in modern naval warfare.

Relevant articles:
– Will Russia’s Admiral Kuznetsov Aircraft Carrier Ever Sail Again?, The National Interest
– Russia Wants a New Aircraft Carrier But It Won’t Ever Happen, nationalinterest.org
– Russia’s Admiral Kuznetsov Aircraft Carrier May Get Scrapped for Good, The National Interest
– A ‘Dead’ Aircraft Carrier: Is Russia’s Last Carrier Worth Fixing?, 19FortyFive