new fire
A fire emerged aboard the Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, currently docked at the Murmansk shipyard. The initial report was published by Severpost, citing a source within emergency services. The situation prompted a response marked as a complexity level two, indicating a developing blaze that required additional personnel, water supply, and equipment. This classification typically calls for a crew of at least three firefighters or six firefighters with tankers, reflecting the increasing demands of the incident. The early description underscores the severity and the need for coordinated actions at the scene. These updates come from emergency services and regional media outlets reporting in real time. [TASS attribution]
Subsequent updates from RIA Novosti, quoting Alexei Rakhmanov, head of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, suggested the fire was relatively minor. He noted a small flattening during repairs and confirmed that the fire was brought under control. Rakhmanov also stated that no damage or loss of life occurred and that all fire safety systems functioned as intended. This emphasis on system performance highlights the shipyard’s preparedness and the effectiveness of the response. [RIA Novosti attribution]
Murmansk Telegram channels, drawing from local emergency services, reported an open fire in an area measuring six square meters. They also indicated a fire in a lower compartment, now under examination by experts while adjacent compartments are checked for any spread. The elevated level of fire difficulty was subsequently lifted as containment improved. This sequence reflects the meticulous assessment process that follows initial suppression efforts. [Local channels attribution]
TASS confirmed that the cruiser remains at the Zvyozdochka shipyard quay, and that twenty personnel were evacuated from the vessel as a precaution. The evacuation underscores a measured, safety-first approach to protect crew members during ongoing repairs. [TASS attribution]
The Ministry of Emergencies in the Murmansk region told Interfax that the visible smoke originated from temporary smoke during repairs and was detected promptly by the repair crews. The emergency team and shipboard units arrived to manage the situation and prevent further consequences. This account reinforces the importance of rapid detection and decisive action in complex repair environments. [Interfax attribution]
What misfortunes plague Kuznetsov
The sole Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser, Admiral Kuznetsov, was launched in 1985 and commissioned in 1991. After a deployment to Syria in October 2017, the ship entered a long repair phase intended to extend its service life by roughly a decade. However, repair work faced multiple interruptions that slowed progress and raised questions about the vessel’s future during this period. [Historical context attribution]
The underwater hull repair began in Murmansk at the PD-50 floating dry dock. In late October 2018, the dock sank in Kola Bay, unbalancing the vessel and damaging its surface with a crane incident. Kuznetsov was subsequently moved to the 35th shipyard berth, which was then modernized specifically to support the ongoing repair program. This sequence illustrates the engineering and logistical challenges inherent in preserving a ship of this vintage and capability. [Defense and shipyard reports attribution]
On December 12, 2019, a major fire occurred during welding work in the bow area. A spark entered the hold with paints, fuels, and lubricants, causing the fire to escalate rapidly from 20 square meters to about 600 square meters. Fire crews from multiple departments battled the flames for roughly a day, and the incident led to significant consequences including the flooding of an emergency compartment. Two personnel were killed, and more than ten were injured. In April 2020, the United Shipbuilding Corporation placed the overall damage at around 500 million rubles, reflecting the severe economic and human toll of the incident. [Fire incident and consequence attribution]
After the 2018 dock mishap, the Department of Defense voiced concerns about the advisability and priority of continuing repairs on Kuznetsov. The debate reflected broader strategic considerations about preserving a carrier capable of deployment in naval operations and the long-term implications for Russia’s maritime forces. [DoD attribution]