Russia’s sole aircraft carrier goes under repairs

Russia’s sole aircraft carrier, The Admiral Kuznetsov, went into the dock of a shipyard in north Russia for repairs, the Northern Fleet’s press office reported on Thursday, giving no timeframe for the repairs.

"The repair workers will first make the ship’s inspection in the dock, after which a decision will be made on the scope of the repairs," the fleet’s press office said, adding the repairs would be carried out by specialists of the 82nd shipyard at Roslyakovo in the Murmansk Region.

The aircraft carrier performed its last long-distance voyage in May 2014, mostly sailing in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Northern Fleet’s press office earlier reported that deck-based aircraft pilots had been on combat duty aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov responsible for air defense of a Russian Navy task force.
The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier also took part in several naval drills, practising air fights.

The Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser is the sole vessel of this type in the Russian Navy.

The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier was laid down at a Black Sea shipyard on September 1, 1982 and entered service on December 4, 1985.

During its voyages, the ship carries Sukhoi Su-25UTG (NATO reporting name: Frogfoot-B) and Su-33 (Flanker-D) aircraft and Kamov Ka-27 and Ka-29 (Helix) helicopters.