The only aircraft carrier Russia has is called Admiral Kuznetsov, and generally speaking, it is symbolic of obsolete technology and operational inefficiency for the country. It is famous for invariably emitting black smoke due to its dependency on Mazut, a heavy tar-like fuel that has long been abandoned by modern naval engineering.
Although by the 1980s most of the world was moving to nuclear and gas turbine propulsion systems, when the Kuznetsov launched in 1985, it was equipped with an outdated system requiring complex preheating and pressurization of Mazut. This has led to a spate of engine failures and the ship being taken over long distances by tugs, as in the case of the 2012 incident where it needed to be dragged 2,700 miles by the Russian tugboat Nikolay Chiker.
Adding to these complications, very low-quality piping has left the Kuznetsov in sharp contrast to modern, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The boilers aboard the ship often break down, meaning operators frequently need to alternate between working units. Sometimes, the vessel’s speed will be reduced to only 4 knots in an embarrassment of the need for tugboat escorts.
Mazut is a type of Bunker B or C fuel, well-known for its high sulfur content and its exceedingly negative environmental and health effects. The heavy black smoke from the Kuznetsov probably results from inadequate calibration of the preheating mechanisms or fuel injection, so that only partially combusted fuel is emitted into the atmosphere.
Its propulsion system is not the only operational shortcoming of Kuznetsov. While most modern aircraft carriers utilize either steam or electromagnetic catapults, Kuznetsov relies on the less effective bow ramp to launch aircraft. This confines the speed and weight of the aircraft, reducing their ordnance and fuel capacity, which in turn reduces their firepower and range.
At present, the Kuznetsov is under extensive and belated repairs. Its future operational capability is in question. The ship has an abysmal record of maintenance; most of its timeline has been marked by fires and accidents, raising eyebrows as to when it would ever sail again.
The Kuznetsov is a belching reminder of why the naval industry moved away from Mazut toward more efficient and reliable propulsion systems. With the Russian military coming under criticism regarding equipment and tactics, the Kuznetsov has stood the test of time as to what it means to work with outdated technology in modern warfare.