VLADIMIR Putin’s only rustbucket aircraft carrier that struggled through the Channel is poised to be scrapped after seven years of failed repairs.
Work on the hulking Admiral Kuznetsov has been suspended with reports suggesting the vessel is doomed for the scrapheap.
Putin’s “Ship of Shame” has been absent from the conflict with Ukraine, remaining idle in the cold port of Murmansk, located in northwestern Russia.
The deteriorating vessel, Putin’s sole aircraft carrier, is unlikely to sail again, as its crew of 1,500 has been redeployed to participate in the war effort.
Admiral Sergey Avakyants, an ex-commander of the Pacific Fleet, supported the halt in repairs, describing the ship as both “costly” and “underperforming” as a naval asset.
He said today: “The aircraft carrier is already a fading era.
“It is a very expensive and inefficient naval weapon.
“The future belongs to carriers of robotic complexes and unmanned aviation.
“If the decision is made not to continue repairs the Admiral Kuznetsov should just be taken, cut up for scrap, and disposed of.”
The ship was inherited by the Kremlin from the USSR and has a history of malfunctions, said Russian media.
According to the report, it underwent repairs in 2018 after a trip to Syria and its future has remained “unclear” ever since.
Reports said: “Misfortunes continue to haunt the heavy aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, the only aircraft carrier in the Russian fleet that the Kremlin inherited from the USSR.
“Having been put under repair in 2018 after a voyage to the shores of Syria, Admiral Kuznetsov was never able to return to service on time, and its future remains unclear.”
The decrepit battleship, that has been described as the pride and joy of the Russian Northern fleet, set sail on its maiden voyage 40 years ago and has been involved in naval convoys passing the British coast.
It used to carry up to 28 planes (Su-33 and MiG-29) and 17 helicopters (Ka-52K and Ka-27), and was armed with P-700 Granit missiles.
But in 2019 and 2022, the vessel was struck by two separate fires whilst undergoing works – causing millions of pounds worth of damage.
When the Admiral Kuznetsov came to the English Channel
The Admiral Kuznetsov “sulked” past the UK on its way back to Russia from Syria in 2017.
UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon dubbed the carrier a “ship of shame” as the vessel and its task group was escorted by a Royal Navy frigate and jets.
Britain sent HMS St Albans and Typhoon fighters to monitor the ship and “provide reassurance” to countries bordering the North Sea and English Channel.
Fallon said: “We are man-marking these vessels every step of the way around the UK as part of our steadfast commitment to keep Britain safe.”
Cmdr Chris Ansell, in command of HMS St Albans, said: “This tasking demonstrates the Royal Navy’s commitment to protecting our home waters and readiness to undertake short notice operations.
“The movements of the Russian ships are being continually monitored in a co-ordinated response between the Royal Navy, RAF and our NATO partners.
“As an island nation, the security of the seas around our coastline is vital and this sort of task is routine business for HMS St Albans and the Royal Navy, which stands ready at all times.
The ship measures the length of three football pitches and weighs a staggering the 58,000-tonnes.
Last year, crew members Ivan Akenchenkov, 51, and Sergey Ovsienko, 30, and Oleg Sosedov, 21, who served on the aircraft carrier, were reported missing during a Russian attack in Kharkiv.
Oleg is now reported to have died during an attack in Kharkiv on July 23.
His mother Natasha Simbirtseva has been told by fellow servicemen that he had been killed.
She said: “He has not been in touch since July 21.
“He was seen alive on July 23, and has not been seen since.
“But there is a fellow soldier who confirmed that the two [dead] are my son Oleg Sosedov and Dmitry Teplukhin [another seaman].”
The desperate mother said: “No official information has come.
“The commanders are not calling and are not reporting any information.”
She slammed the “complete inaction” of top brass in failing to search for missing men on they battlefield and repatriate the corpses of fallen fighters.
“It’s ****ed up that fighters are being sent from our only aircraft carrier to storm a village in the Kharkiv region,” she raged.
