The Crew of Russia’s Only Aircraft Carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, Has Been Sent to Fight in Ukraine

The Russian military is reportedly reassigning sailors from its only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, to the frontlines in Ukraine due to a shortage of personnel. According to a report from Forbes, based on data from the open-source intelligence project Moklasen, this move highlights the ongoing crisis within the Russian armed forces.

The Admiral Kuznetsov has not been operational for eight years, and analysts suggest it may never return to active service. Instead, a portion of its crew, which previously consisted of around 1,500 personnel, has been integrated into ground forces, forming what has been termed a “frigate” battalion. This battalion is now part of the 1st Guards Tank Army and has reportedly engaged in combat operations in eastern Ukraine, specifically in the Pokrovsk direction, after initial deployments near Kharkiv.

At least one sailor from this battalion has been reported missing. The Kremlin’s decision to pull personnel from the Kuznetsov might reflect its urgent need to mobilize approximately 30,000 new troops each month to replace battlefield losses.

The Admiral Kuznetsov, launched in 1985, has a troubled operational history, having suffered various accidents and setbacks, including a serious fire during repairs in late 2022. With its continued inactivity and the ongoing demands of the war in Ukraine, the ship appears increasingly likely to remain permanently docked.