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Russia Puts Its Only Aircraft Carrier Admiral Kuznetsov Up for Sale—Smoke, Leaks, and Delays Included
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russia is reportedly weighing whether to sell or dismantle its only aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, a Soviet-era warship that has remained under repair for years and is no longer considered combat-ready.
According to Defense Express on July 25, the future of the Admiral Kuznetsov was discussed in a recent report by a Russian state-aligned media outlet, published in the context of Vladimir Putin’s visit to a naval ceremony for the strategic submarine Knyaz Pozharsky.
During the event, Andrei Kostin, head of VTB Bank—now managing the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC)—stated that Russia is considering two options: scrapping the carrier or selling it.
The Admiral Kuznetsov, commissioned in the 1980s, has been undergoing repairs since 2017. Despite multiple announcements about its return to active service, the vessel remains inoperable.
Observers cited in the report claimed to have seen the carrier near Murmansk and speculated that dismantling had already begun.
Kostin responded by confirming that the ship was under VTB’s management and that, in his view, it would be either scrapped or sold. This statement suggests that Russia’s political and defense leadership is seriously considering abandoning efforts to modernize or reactivate the ship.
The development reflects a broader shift in how Russia views the Admiral Kuznetsov—not as a strategic asset, but as a legacy platform that no longer justifies its cost. The idea of selling the ship introduces a commercial perspective on what was once seen as a symbol of military prestige.
The carrier, which still houses outdated P-700 Granit anti-ship missile systems, has suffered from a series of accidents, fires, and delays throughout its repair timeline.
Notable incidents include a major fire in December 2019 that killed at least two crew members during repair work in Murmansk; a floating dock collapse in October 2018 that damaged the carrier’s deck and left it without a key drydock; and a 2016 engine malfunction in the Mediterranean that caused it to emit thick black smoke, drawing international ridicule.
Its current condition raises questions about whether it can realistically be marketed to international buyers.
According to Defense Express, traditional allies such as India are unlikely to express interest, as New Delhi has focused on domestic aircraft carrier construction.
Brazil, another potential buyer, currently operates the former British vessel HMS Ocean and is reportedly negotiating the purchase of two additional UK amphibious assault ships—HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark—at a significantly lower cost.
Given the absence of viable foreign buyers, Russian authorities may opt to transfer ownership of the vessel within domestic state structures. One possible outcome, according to the report, is that Admiral Kuznetsov could be formally sold to another Russian entity and repurposed as a static exhibit at a Patriot Park military-themed complex.
Earlier, a portion of the Admiral Kuznetsov’s crew was reassigned to fight in Ukraine due to personnel shortages. Some 1,500 sailors were redeployed to form a “frigate” battalion under the 1st Guards Tank Army, with reported combat activity near Kharkiv and Pokrovsk.
