Latest news with #SergeyAvakyants
The Sun
11-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Putin's ONLY rustbucket aircraft carrier that limped through Channel in pathetic show of force ‘to finally be scrapped'
VLADIMIR Putin's only rustbucket aircraft carrier that struggled through the Channel is poised to be scrapped after seven years of failed repairs. Work on the hulking Admiral Kuznetsov has been suspended with reports suggesting the vessel is doomed for the scrapheap. 7 7 7 7 Putin's 'Ship of Shame' has played no role in the war against Ukraine and has instead been languishing in the grim Arctic port of Murmansk, in northwestern Russia. It's believed the rust bucket - Putin's only aircraft carrier - will never set sail again, as 1,500 crew members were quietly sent to fight in the war instead. Former Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Sergey Avakyants applauded the decision to cease repairs, calling the vessel an "expensive" and "inefficient" naval weapon. He said today: 'The aircraft carrier is already a fading era. 'It is a very expensive and inefficient naval weapon. 'The future belongs to carriers of robotic complexes and unmanned aviation. 'If the decision is made not to continue repairs the Admiral Kuznetsov should just be taken, cut up for scrap, and disposed of." The ship was inherited by the Kremlin from the USSR and has a history of malfunctions, said Russian media. According to the report, it underwent repairs in 2018 after a trip to Syria and its future has remained "unclear" ever since. Reports said: 'Misfortunes continue to haunt the heavy aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, the only aircraft carrier in the Russian fleet that the Kremlin inherited from the USSR. Second huge cargo ship is attacked and SUNK by Houthi rebels in deadly Red Sea raid 'Having been put under repair in 2018 after a voyage to the shores of Syria, Admiral Kuznetsov was never able to return to service on time, and its future remains unclear.' The decrepit battleship, that has been described as the pride and joy of the Russian Northern fleet, set sail on its maiden voyage 40 years ago and has been involved in naval convoys passing the British coast. It used to carry up to 28 planes (Su-33 and MiG-29) and 17 helicopters (Ka-52K and Ka-27), and was armed with P-700 Granit missiles. But in 2019 and 2022, the vessel was struck by two separate fires whilst undergoing works - causing millions of pounds worth of damage. When the Admiral Kuznetsov came to the English Channel The Admiral Kuznetsov "sulked" past the UK on its way back to Russia from Syria in 2017. UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon dubbed the carrier a "ship of shame" as the vessel and its task group was escorted by a Royal Navy frigate and jets. Britain sent HMS St Albans and Typhoon fighters to monitor the ship and "provide reassurance" to countries bordering the North Sea and English Channel. Fallon said: "We are man-marking these vessels every step of the way around the UK as part of our steadfast commitment to keep Britain safe." Cmdr Chris Ansell, in command of HMS St Albans, said: 'This tasking demonstrates the Royal Navy's commitment to protecting our home waters and readiness to undertake short notice operations. 'The movements of the Russian ships are being continually monitored in a co-ordinated response between the Royal Navy, RAF and our NATO partners. "As an island nation, the security of the seas around our coastline is vital and this sort of task is routine business for HMS St Albans and the Royal Navy, which stands ready at all times. The ship measures the length of three football pitches and weighs a staggering the 58,000-tonnes. Last year, crew members Ivan Akenchenkov, 51, and Sergey Ovsienko, 30, and Oleg Sosedov, 21, who served on the aircraft carrier, were reported missing during a Russian attack in Kharkiv. Oleg is now reported to have died during an attack in Kharkiv on July 23. His mother Natasha Simbirtseva has been told by fellow servicemen that he had been killed. She said: 'He has not been in touch since July 21. 'He was seen alive on July 23, and has not been seen since. 'But there is a fellow soldier who confirmed that the two [dead] are my son Oleg Sosedov and Dmitry Teplukhin [another seaman].' The desperate mother said: 'No official information has come. 'The commanders are not calling and are not reporting any information.' She slammed the 'complete inaction' of top brass in failing to search for missing men on they battlefield and repatriate the corpses of fallen fighters. 'It's ****ed up that fighters are being sent from our only aircraft carrier to storm a village in the Kharkiv region,' she raged. 7 7 7
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Humiliation for Putin as Russia 'looks set to SCRAP its only aircraft carrier after seven years of failed repairs'
Vladimir Putin 's only aircraft carrier - the hulking Admiral Kuznetsov - is poised to be scrapped after seven failed years of repairs, say reports. Work on the jinxed ship, the largest in the Russian navy, has now been suspended despite the efforts to get it back in the water. News outlet Izvestia cites sources saying the vessel is likely destined for the scrapheap. Putin's 'Ship of Shame' is languishing in dock in grim Arctic port Murmansk, and has played no role in the war against Ukraine. It's crew were quietly sent to fight in the war instead. The 58,000-ton rust bucket - Putin's only aircraft carrier - is now seen as likely never to go to sea again. Former Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Sergey Avakyants called the decision to stop repair work 'absolutely correct'. He said today: 'The aircraft carrier is already a fading era. Work on the jinxed ship, the largest in the Russian navy, has been suspended despite repeated efforts to get it back in the water 'It is a very expensive and inefficient naval weapon. 'The future belongs to carriers of robotic complexes and unmanned aviation. 'And the Admiral Kuznetsov - if the decision is made not to continue repairs - should just be taken, cut up for scrap, and disposed of.' 'Misfortunes continue to haunt the heavy aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, the only aircraft carrier in the Russian fleet that the Kremlin inherited from the USSR,' reported The Moscow Times earlier. 'Having been put under repair in 2018 after a voyage to the shores of Syria, Admiral Kuznetsov was never able to return to service on time, and its future remains unclear.' The decrepit battleship - pride of the Russian Northern Fleet - was launched 40 years ago. The length of three football pitches, it has been hit by two fires while under repair, in 2019 and 2022, causing millions of pounds worth of damage. The 2019 blaze saw two men lose their lives and 14 others treated for smoke inhalation. One crewman, Oleg Sosedov, 21, who served on the aircraft carrier, was last year reported to have gone missing during a Russian attack in Kharkiv. Missing too was Ivan Akenchenkov, 51, and Sergey Ovsienko, 30, also crew members of the Admiral Kuznetsov. The flagship of Russia's Northern Fleet, the Admiral Kuznetsov - commissioned in 1990 - has been involved in naval convoys passing the British coast. It used to carry up to 28 planes (Su-33 and MiG-29) and 17 helicopters (Ka-52K and Ka-27), and was armed with P-700 Granit missiles. Its crew should number 1,500. It comes after in 2023 the Admiral Kuznetsov was said to in such a ruinous state that it would sink if it were to sail again. Ukraine's Defence Ministry stated the Admiral Kuznetsov is in such 'a state of emergency' that it 'cannot move under its own power'. One crewman, Oleg Sosedov, 21, who served on the aircraft carrier, was last year reported to have gone missing during a Russian attack in Kharkiv The ministry noted that a decision had been made to transfer the ship to the docks of a ship repair plant. However, it soon became clear the cruiser was not able to move without assistance. Attempts to tug the boat failed due to the poor condition of the ship's hull - which divers found was suffering deep corrosion below the third deck. The holds were also found to be filled with muddy water, making an internal check impossible. According to Ukraine, ship repair specialists warned the condition of Admiral Kuznetsov makes it impossible for it to launch and if it does, 'it is highly likely that it will tip over on its side and [sink].'
