The Third New Nuclear Icebreaker of the 22220 Ural Series
The third recently built nuclear-powered icebreaker from the 22220 Ural project is slated to enter active service in late 2022. This update comes from a representative of FSUE Atomflot, who oversees the operation of Russia’s icebreaker fleet. The ship is currently at the Baltic Shipyard where commissioning steps are underway. The onboard reactor has been started and tested, and all systems respond as expected. The next major phase involves sea trials that are planned to take place in September, confirming performance in real navigation conditions.
Construction and testing of the vessel are coordinated with oversight from Atomflot’s St. Petersburg office. A senior official noted that the project has progressed through critical milestones, including completion of factory checks and readiness verification for the upcoming sea trials. The overall aim is to ensure the icebreaker meets the highest standards before joining the fleet for Arctic and northern sea operations.
At present, the Russian nuclear icebreaker fleet includes the legendary 50 Years the Victory, the Yamal, the Taimyr, and Vaigach. Also part of the fleet is the Sevmorput, a unique nuclear-powered lighter vessel. New generations of icebreakers in the 22220 series, named Arktika and Siberia, are reinforcing capabilities for all-season navigation and safe passage through ice-laden waters.
For a clearer understanding of how ready these new nuclear icebreakers are for active service and how they perform under ice navigation conditions, readers can refer to discussions with Leonid Irlitsa in interviews with major news outlets. These discussions provide an informed view of readiness levels, testing protocols, and the operational role of these vessels in Russia’s polar missions.