The Admiral Kuznetsov, commissioned in the 1980s, was initially intended to serve as a training platform for Russian pilots. Built during a time of political and economic instability, the ship never benefited from the improvements necessary to make it a modern and reliable player in maritime power. As a result, its outdated systems and outdated fuel consumption (the famous Fuel oilgenerating thick black smoke) make it an inglorious figure in the eyes of many military experts.
High tension missions
Admiral Kuznetsov's role in the Russian navy has often taken on the appearance of a journey. In 2011, during his deployment in the Mediterranean to support the Syrian regime of Bachar al-Assadthe ship is closely followed by the Sixth Fleet American. The American forces, far from fearing a Russian offensive, had prepared to intervene to prevent the aircraft carrier from sinking. This episode illustrates both the obsolescence of the Kuznetsov and the embarrassment it causes for Moscow.
A tenacious symbol for Putin's Russia
Despite his condition, Admiral Kuznetsov remains in the ranks of the Russian fleet. This choice is not trivial: for Vladimir Putin, it embodies Russia's resilience and its ambition to restore its military power. Russia, although aware of the limitations of this aircraft carrier, clings to this vision of a ship capable of one day matching the standards of Western, and particularly American, aircraft carriers.
Modernization or scrapping?
Today, the Kuznetsov is in dry dock, eaten away by rust, while its crew is mobilized on the Ukrainian front. The debate is growing over the future of this colossus of the seas: the Russian authorities are considering modernizing it or, finally, withdrawing it from service. However, its condition suggests that its restoration would require colossal resources, even as Russia faces increasing economic and military pressures.
Ultimately, Admiral Kuznetsov symbolizes Russia's tenacious desire to maintain itself as a naval power despite significant technical and financial constraints.
