Russian leader Vladimir Putin has been forced to scrap his largest nuclear-powered warship, the Peter the Great, after failing to finance a massive repair bill. The guided missile cruiser had previously been praised by Putin as having virtually no equal globally.
The vessel, which cost £750 million and served in the Russian fleet for 28 years, is now headed for the scrapheap. Vladimir Maltsev, head of a Russian naval advocacy group, stated that the cruiser is beyond repair and suffers from a significant degree of wear.
The Peter the Great shares its Kirov class with its sister ship, the Admiral Nakhimov. Repairing the Admiral Nakhimov cost an astounding £1.5 billion, leaving the vessel eight years behind schedule. It returned to the sea last year for the first time following a 28-year absence and is still undergoing sea test runs without being on active patrol with the Russian Navy.
Currently recognized as the largest operational attack warship in the world that is not an aircraft carrier, the Peter the Great has been inactive for some time. Its primary power plant features two fast-neutron nuclear reactors alongside two main turbo units yielding 70,000 horsepower each, achieving a maximum speed of 31 knots, or approximately 35mph.
Back in 2013, Putin asserted that his prized naval asset had no equal. During an address to the crew, he noted that the cruiser repeatedly distinguished itself in long sea voyages and operated actively to display the Russian flag across key strategic regions of the world oceans. He praised the crew for performing their tasks perfectly and demonstrating professional skill and courage.
This development arrives amid a difficult week for Putin, who faced online mockery regarding his height during a Moscow summit with African leaders. A viral photograph captured Putin appearing much shorter next to Mozambique president Daniel Chapo, who stands at 6ft 8in. Putin, who measures just under 5ft 7in, is known to wear high platform shoes, and the image generated numerous internet memes.
Shortly afterward, Putin stated that he is ready for war with Europe. Addressing the Russia-Africa summit, he remarked that they are ready for war with Europe while emphasizing that they do not want it, adding that anyone desiring such a conflict should prepare. Putin claimed the West failed to achieve its goal of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia, stating that this outcome remains unlikely by 2030 and warning that no winners would emerge if hostilities escalate too far.
