When it comes to the Russian Kirov-class nuclear-powered cruiser, it is widely known and recognized for its massive size and capabilities. With a displacement of up to 28,000 tons, a length of 250 meters, and carrying over 500 missiles, it is currently the world’s largest and heaviest nuclear-powered cruiser, representing the former Soviet Union’s Cold War glory.
However, the fate of the Kirov-class cruisers has been tumultuous. Many of its sibling ships either met an early demise, remained in the shipyard undergoing endless repairs, or were retired prematurely.
Recently, Russia announced that the reactor of the Admiral Nakhimov cruiser has finally been reactivated, hinting at the possibility of putting this nuclear-powered cruiser back into service in the near future. However, considering that the Admiral Nakhimov was constructed 40 years ago and has been lying dormant in the shipyard for 30 years, even if it returns to service quickly, it may likely face a fate of serving briefly before retiring again.
The Kirov-class has a total of four siblings, with the eldest being the Kirov itself. It entered service in 1980 but returned to the shipyard in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It was dismantled starting in 2021 and is now no longer in existence.
The second sibling, the Frunze, also faced a similar fate. It was commissioned in 1984, went into standby in 1999, and started dismantlement in 2021 along with the Kirov.
The third sibling, the Admiral Nakhimov (formerly known as the Kalinin), had a tragic history as well. Commissioned in 1988, it suffered a nuclear reactor accident in 1997, leading to it being docked at the Severodvinsk shipyard and left in a critical state for over 20 years.
Twenty years ago, Putin aimed to revive the Russian Navy’s imperial power by modernizing the Admiral Nakhimov, commencing the modernization work in 2012. However, after more than a decade, the cruiser remains in the shipyard, being sustained with life support systems. Despite not being dismantled like its siblings, it has remained inactive.
The fourth and last of the Kirov class, the Peter the Great, remains operational in the Russian Navy. While plans were initially made to modernize it, funding was diverted due to the conflict with Ukraine, leading to its aging without significant upgrades.
In a recent report by the TASS news agency, it was indicated that the second nuclear reactor of the Admiral Nakhimov cruiser was successfully reactivated in February 2025, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the cruiser’s operational future.
The delayed timeline for the Admiral Nakhimov cruiser’s refurbishment has been a recurring challenge for the Russian Navy, with numerous postponements over the years. The cruiser’s re-entry into service has been pushed back multiple times, and the current estimate for delivery to the navy is in 2026.
The delay in modernizing the Admiral Nakhimov cruiser highlights the challenges faced by the Russian Navy in maintaining its fleet’s operational readiness. The comparison with the timely retirement of the US Ticonderoga-class cruisers underscores the disparity in naval capabilities between the two nations.
Furthermore, technical deficiencies and accidents involving the nuclear reactors of the Kirov-class cruisers have raised concerns about the quality and reliability of Russian naval equipment. The legacy of bureaucratic inefficiencies and budget constraints during the Soviet era has left a lasting impact on the maintenance and performance of their military assets.
The loss of Ukraine as a key partner in naval construction and design has also significantly impacted Russia’s ability to maintain and modernize its fleet. Without access to Ukrainian facilities and expertise, Russia has struggled to keep pace with other naval powers in terms of technological advancements and efficiency.
In conclusion, while the Kirov-class cruisers may have had a grand appearance and a formidable arsenal, their operational shortcomings and aging infrastructure have prevented them from realizing their full potential. The challenges faced in modernizing the Admiral Nakhimov cruiser serve as a poignant reminder of the complexities and limitations of maintaining a powerful naval force in the modern era.