The Cold War-era aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov has today become representative of the wider issues marring Russia’s naval and military capabilities. Intended to be an icon of Russian naval power, the Kuznetsov has been plagued by a growing list of mechanical and operational problems that have left it out of order since 2017.
The list of problems with the Kuznetsov is long. The carrier runs on Mazut, a very obsolete kind of petrochemical fuel, which is thick and creates very hazardous types of exhaust fumes. Whereas modern nuclear-powered carriers can patrol for indefinite periods, the Kuznetsov’s reliance on Mazut imposes Draconian limits on its range and endurance. The fuel has to be preheated and pressurized, requiring an extended and often malfunctioning piping system. Besides frequent failures of its boilers, low-quality pipes have also troubled the ship and often force it to crawl at as slow a speed as four knots per hour. These are the shortcomings that the Russians take into consideration by always sending tugboats escorting the Kuznetsov to drag her back to port if need be.
That the carrier’s bow ramp for aircraft launches is antiquated further undermines its effectiveness. Modern carriers possess catapult systems to send aircraft into the air at high speed, which enables them to carry heavier payloads. In contrast, the bow ramp of Kuznetsov can launch only relatively light aircraft; Russian planes have to cut their ordnance and fuel loads severely, reducing the carrier’s fundamental mission of projecting airpower.
The operational history of Kuznetsov has been equally trouble-ridden. During its first-ever combat mission off Syria in 2016, the vessel faced a lot of problems and finally had to be taken to the dry dock. Two out of 15 aircraft crashed during landing operations. A string of accidents since then-including a crane falling on the carrier in 2018 and a massive fire in 2019 that killed two and injured 14-has significantly set back the carrier’s refurbishment schedule and ruled the ship out of participating in the conflict in Ukraine.
Kuznetsov’s condition has set off a blame game between the Russian military and the naval shipbuilders. HUR said the ship recently was moved from dry dock to a repair plant pier only to discover the vessel was incapable of moving under its power; significant corrosion in the metal superstructure of the hull and holds filled with water raised the risk of capsizing if the vessel was put to sea. As a result, mutual recriminations began between officials of the 35th ship repair plant in Murmansk and Russian naval commanders. The Russian Navy filed a RUB 1.5 billion ($21.3 million) fine against the ship repair plant due to the latter’s failure to meet deadlines for repairs, while management denied liability and referred to unsatisfactory military supervision.
The broader context of the Russo-Ukraine War has further stretched Russia’s military resources, therefore making any investments in a new aircraft carrier unlikely. This war has exposed deficiencies in Russia’s military, from outdated tanks to undertrained troops and a shoddy naval fleet. And the Kuznetsov, with its myriad issues, serves as a stark reminder of those challenges.
In a word, the future of the Admiral Kuznetsov is uncertain. Added to this are several problems with the carrier, plus the claim on resources caused by the war in Ukraine, raising questions as to whether Russia can continue to sustain its older naval vessels, let alone their eventual replacements. As the war continues to progress, Kuznetsov’s fate might prove indicative of the general state of military capability for the Russians.