Image Credentials: Image Title: Russian Nuclear Cruiser Admiral Nakhimov Begins Sea Trials After More Than 20 Years Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: August 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer | Open Chronicle with Agencies
After more than two decades out of service, the nuclear-powered heavy missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov of the Russian Navy has finally begun its long-awaited sea trials, marking a major milestone in its extended modernization program.
The news was reported yesterday by Russian media outlets and quickly spread on social networks, where images and videos showed the warship departing for open waters. Although there has been no official confirmation yet, sources within Russia’s shipbuilding industry stated that the vessel has entered the first stage of trials in the White Sea, to be followed by a longer phase in the Barents Sea.
One source noted that “the nuclear-powered heavy missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov went to sea for navigation tests conducted by the shipbuilders.”
Today, the Project 11442M Kirov-class heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov after repair and modernization went to sea for factory sea trials.
📸🎥Alekseeva/Aristovahttps://t.co/WS9nujMe60 pic.twitter.com/7j9PqKKvIe— Massimo Frantarelli (@MrFrantarelli) August 18, 2025
A Return Long Anticipated
The possibility of the Admiral Nakhimov’s return had been widely discussed in recent weeks, with naval officials signaling that the modernization work was nearly complete. On August 12, Captain First Rank Vladimir Maltsev, head of the All-Russian Movement for Navy Support, announced that the vessel would begin testing before the end of the month.
In late July, executives from the United Shipbuilding Corporation (JSC) also suggested that the cruiser’s reentry into service was imminent. The corporation’s president, Andrey Kostin, called the near-completion of repairs “an important event for us,” adding that the ship was already undergoing tests and could soon rejoin the Russian Navy.
A Long and Troubled Modernization
Officially, the Admiral Nakhimov entered repair status in 1999, but meaningful work only began in 2013. The process was plagued by delays, financial hurdles, and uncertainty over whether the project would ever be finished.
Doubts deepened after the modernization of its sister ship, Pyotr Velikiy (Peter the Great), was canceled, leading to that vessel’s permanent retirement.
New Combat Capabilities
Despite the setbacks, the modernization appears to have dramatically boosted the cruiser’s firepower. Reports indicate the ship is now equipped with up to ten vertical launch systems, each capable of holding eight cruise missiles.
It has also been fitted with advanced air-defense systems, including the Fort-M and Pantsyr-M, significantly enhancing its ability to counter modern aerial threats and aligning it with the demands of contemporary naval warfare.
Strategic Significance
The return of the Admiral Nakhimov is seen as a major development for the Russian Navy, which is seeking to reinforce its naval power amid growing geopolitical tensions. If sea trials progress as expected, the warship could soon be fully reinducted into active service, underscoring both the persistence and the challenges of Russia’s naval modernization efforts.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.