Russia’s Kirov-Class Battlecruiser Catastrophe Is About to Get Even Worse

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Key Points and Summary: Russia’s Kirov-class battlecruisers were once the largest and fastest surface vessels on Earth—feared symbols of Cold War naval power. Now, only the Admiral Nakhimov remains.

-After two decades of upgrades, it’s undergoing sea trials for the first time since 1999.

-Heavily armed with claimed hypersonic Zircon missiles and advanced air defenses, the Nakhimov still faces skepticism.

-Experts doubt its viability in a modern conflict, given its outdated reactor and the uncertain performance of its touted new systems.

-Many anticipate it will operate mostly in the Arctic, where Russia seeks to assert territorial interests rather than risk losing it in active combat.

The Russian Kirov-Class Battlecruiser, Cold War Relic or Fearsome Foe? 

The Russian Kirov-class Battlecruisers were the largest and heaviest surface vessels, not aircraft carriers, on the sea during the Cold War.

Russia initially planned to build five but later reduced that number to four. 

Only one of the four battlecruisers built remains in the books: Admiral Nakhimov. The Nakhimov has been given massive upgrades for more than two decades and is finally undergoing sea trials after a massive upgrade in weapons and protective measures.

If the ship passes the sea trials, it will rejoin the fleet for the first time since 1999.

The Kirov battlecruisers use the CONAS (Combined Nuclear and Steam) propulsion system. Two conventional boilers serve as a backup to the nuclear reactor in the event of reactor failure. Both components can drive two geared steam turbines, generating 120,000 hp (89 MW) at two prop shafts.

The Kirovs were capable of speeds over 31 knots. 

The Kirov Forced the US Navy To Act

At the time, they were the fastest surface ships in the world. The Soviet Navy designed them to counter American carrier strength and to attack US submarines. 

The US Navy didn’t have anything as big as the Kirov-class ships. There was a gap in large surface warfare ships. During the Cold War, there was always a lot of talk about “gaps” (See Dr. Strangelove). 

However, the US Navy decided to bring back the Iowa-class battleships. For a time, both the Soviet and US Navies forgot that the era of aircraft carriers had ruled the seas since the early days of World War II.

But once the 1980s were over, the Soviet Union disintegrated, and the Russians neglected the Kirov-class battlecruisers. 

A Return To Relevance for the Battlecruisers?

The Admiral Nakhimov is heavily armed with a mix of Kalibr, Oniks, and Zircon missiles with a new firing system. The Zircon is a hypersonic missile that the Russians claim will travel eight times the speed of sound (Mach-8.0).

That would make it the fastest missile in the world. But as always, a heavy dose of salt is required when Russian claims reach sky-high. 

The Russians have added the naval version of the modern S-400 missile defense system to accompany S-350 missile defenders for ship defense. 

However, just like with the aircraft carrier, Putin is seeking a return of relevance for his blue-water navy, which has taken a beating in the Black Sea. 

Even with the Zircon hypersonic missiles, how effective would the Nakhimov be in a modern war? The short answer is not very. The sea trials it is undergoing now depend on an old nuclear reactor that is about to end its useful life. 

If it even passes the sea trials, I doubt Putin would risk it or his non-working aircraft carrier in the Black Sea. The Ukrainians have been very adept at sinking Russian Navy ships in the Black Sea. The embarrassment of a loss of that magnitude would probably send Putin over the edge.

What Becomes of the Kirov-Class Nakhimov?

Assuming it passes the sea trials, I agree with Dr. Brent Eastwood. Russia will reassign the Nakhimov to the Arctic as part of the Northern Fleet. The ship would project power in the Arctic and protect Russia’s northern edge. 

The Nakhimov is well past its retirement age, and filling it with modern weapons is just another ego trip for Putin. It is akin to asking Joe Montana to go in and win a Super Bowl this February; not the 1980s Joe Montana, but the 2025 version. Now, Tom Brady may just be a different story, but I digress.

The Nakhimov isn’t a modern battlecruiser but another Cold War relic. And in a contemporary conflict, it will join other battlecruisers, the Hood and Bismarck, on the ocean’s bottom.

About the Author: Steve Balestrieri 

Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in other military publications.