5 Times Russian Aircraft Carriers Were Sunk

The Russian Navy has a long and complex history with aircraft carriers, with a mix of both successful and failed endeavors. While the Soviet Union and Russia have had some notable successes with their aircraft carrier programs, there have also been instances where these vessels have been sunk or seriously damaged. Here are five times when Russian aircraft carriers were sunk:

The Russian Navy's struggles with aircraft carriers began early on, with the Soviet Union's first attempt at building a carrier ending in disaster. The Izmail, also known as the Admiral Kuznetsov's predecessor, the "Soviet Union" class, was a behemoth of a ship that never made it to sea. Construction on the carrier began in 1938, but it was never completed due to a combination of factors, including a lack of resources, funding issues, and the outbreak of World War II.

In 1941, the German army invaded the Soviet Union, and the construction site where the Izmail was being built was captured. The ship was subsequently scrapped for its metal, and the Soviet Union never got to see its first aircraft carrier set sail.

The Sinking of the Admiral Kuznetsov's Sister Ship

The Soviet Union's next attempt at building an aircraft carrier was the Admiral Kuznetsov's sister ship, the Varyag. The Varyag was a conventionally powered aircraft carrier that was launched in 1988 but was never completed. The ship was mothballed in the 1990s due to a lack of funding and eventually sold to China, where it was renamed the Liaoning.

However, before the Varyag could be sold, it was involved in a serious accident in 1992. While the ship was undergoing sea trials, one of its arrestor hooks failed, causing a MiG-29K fighter jet to overshoot the runway and crash into the sea. The incident highlighted the challenges the Soviet Union faced in developing its aircraft carrier program.

The Admiral Gorshkov's Rough History

The Admiral Gorshkov was another Soviet aircraft carrier that had a rough history. Launched in 1978, the Gorshkov was a Kiev-class aircraft carrier that was designed to carry a mix of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. However, the ship had a number of problems, including a serious fire that broke out on board in 1994.

The fire damaged the ship's electrical systems, and it was eventually sold to India, where it was renamed the INS Vikramaditya. However, before the ship could be transferred, it was involved in another incident in which it collided with a cargo ship in the Black Sea.

The Minsk's Tragic End

The Minsk was a Kiev-class aircraft carrier that was launched in 1975. The ship had a relatively successful career, serving in the Soviet Navy's Mediterranean squadron and participating in a number of international exercises. However, in 1995, the Minsk was involved in a tragic accident that would ultimately seal its fate.

While the ship was undergoing a routine inspection in the port city of Novorossiysk, a fire broke out on board, causing significant damage to the ship's electrical systems and propulsion. The Minsk was eventually sold for scrap, and it was broken up in a Chinese shipyard in 1997.

The Russian Navy's Struggle to Maintain Its Aircraft Carriers

The Russian Navy's struggles with maintaining its aircraft carriers are well-documented. The Admiral Kuznetsov, the country's only operational aircraft carrier, has been plagued by a number of problems, including frequent breakdowns and accidents.

In 2019, the Admiral Kuznetsov caught fire while undergoing repairs in a Russian shipyard. The incident highlighted the challenges the Russian Navy faces in maintaining its aging fleet of aircraft carriers.