Aircraft carrier cruiser “Admiral Kuznetsov” Photo: 24tv
The Kremlin has made the decision to reassign sailors from the outdated aircraft carrier “Admiral Kuznetsov,” sending them to the frontlines in Ukraine. This move is prompted by a prolonged crisis in the Russian military’s manpower as the conflict with Ukraine approaches its 31st month, while the condition of Russian warships remains dire. This information was reported by TimeUkraineIsrael, citing Forbes.
Decommissioning and Reassignment
The “Admiral Kuznetsov” — Russia’s only aircraft carrier — has not seen active service for eight years, and the likelihood of its future deployment continues to diminish.Sailors from this cruiser have been reassigned to the army and formed a so-called “frigate” mechanized battalion within the 1st Guards Tank Army.
Challenges in Manpower
Analyst Moklasen was the first to report this news, indicating that around 1,500 personnel from the “Kuznetsov” crew have been deployed in the war. The frigate battalion participated in battles around Kharkiv and along the Pokrovsk axis in eastern Ukraine. It is known that one former crew member, Oleg Sosyedov, went missing during the Russian attack on Kharkiv on July 23.
The Kremlin faces the necessity of mobilizing approximately 30,000 new soldiers each month to compensate for battlefield losses. This highlights the desperate measures the government is willing to take to sustain military operations in Ukraine. At the same time, a nationwide draft could pose political risks for President Vladimir Putin.
Uncertain Future of the “Kuznetsov”
Moreover, the “Kuznetsov,” which is already 39 years old, is unlikely to return to sea. Although it was planned to set sail for the first time in eight years this spring, it remains docked in Murmansk, where experts assert that its condition is far from satisfactory.
This situation illustrates the overarching issues within the Russian navy, most of whose vessels date back to the Cold War era, as well as the critical lack of manpower in the context of an ongoing war.
