In a surprising development, Russia has formed a mechanised battalion from the crew of its only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov.
This new unit is reportedly involved in ground operations in Ukraine, according to open-source intelligence researcher Moklasen on X (formerly Twitter).
Initially stationed in the Kharkiv region, the battalion has since been redeployed to the Pokrovsk sector, according to the Ukrainian military.
The formation of the battalion came to light after a message was shared on Russian social media platform Vkontakte, requesting help in locating personnel from military unit 78987.
This unit recently gained attention following the disappearance of Oleg Sosedov, a sailor from the Admiral Kuznetsov, who went missing during a Russian operation in the Kharkiv region in July. Sosedov, also linked to the battalion, was last seen during an assault on the frontier village of Sotnytskii Kozachok.
Additionally, reports indicate that Russia is also forming infantry units from members of its Aerospace Forces, with these new units playing a role in battles around Kursk.
The Admiral Kuznetsov has faced numerous setbacks since being withdrawn from service for repairs in 2017. Originally planned for modernisation to extend its service life by 25 years, the ship’s overhaul has been continuously delayed by accidents and technical challenges.
One incident occurred in October 2018 when the PD-50 drydock, housing the carrier, sank, damaging the vessel and killing a worker. A crane collapse caused significant damage to the flight deck, further delaying the repair process. The carrier was later moved to the 35th Ship Repair Plant in Murmansk.
The difficulties continued. In December 2019, a major fire broke out onboard, killing two workers and injuring more than a dozen others, adding to the delays. Initially expected to return to service by 2023, the completion of repairs has been repeatedly postponed, with current estimates suggesting the ship may not be handed over to the Russian Navy until 2024 or 2025.
Despite these ongoing setbacks, Russian officials remain optimistic about the eventual return of the Admiral Kuznetsov to active duty. Repair work has continued since the ship was dry-docked in May 2022, with upgrades focusing on avionics and power systems.
However, another fire in December 2022 has raised additional concerns about whether the ship will meet its revised schedule for completion. However, with the recent news that the crew has been redeployed to form a mechanised battalion in Ukraine, the handover of the Admiral Kuznetsov now seems unlikely to proceed without a crew.
Now if they could just redeploy their submarine crews in a similar manner that’d be great. Waste important cadres of specially trained service personnel on casualty-heavy meat assaults.
It’s this kind of thing that shows that the war in Ukraine will affect Russian capability years after it has concluded.
Hard to see Russia surviving years after this, the last kicks of a dying regime and an evil empire
Sure I saw that mentioned somewhere earlier in the week. Probably the crew of the one that had an argument with a storm shadow and lost.
For two and a half years now, the Russian campaign has suffered from extremly poor command and control, intelligence failures, bad tactics, equipment failings, etc, etc.. Yet, somehow the front keeps moving west. To some extent, we are trapped by our own myopic intelligence assessments.
When you have more bodies to throw at the problem, you will get results, but at some point you run out of bodies. In reality the Ukriane Russia war is simply a case of who runs out of one of the following first.. 1) will to fight 2) people to throw in the fight 3) munitions and supples 4) money The big problem for Ukraine is that it’s got less people and it’s dependent on the west for munitions and money and the west quite frankly has shown itself to have crap all will to fight or even suffer inconvenience… Read more »
When you consider that weapons support to Ukraine is mainly recycling old munitions and buying their replacement, which is a planned sustainment activity, there is little treasure and no blood at stake for the Supporters. Counting Support for Ukraine in NATO spending makes it even easier. Clearly the fastest way to solve the energy supply stress is to defeat the orcs so plenty of national interest there. The woeful lack of clarity and strategic objective (RF Defeat) from Washington, especially the White House, has been the driver for slow walking and under delivery that causes avoidable death and suffering. Believing… Read more »
Sounds very much like The Times UK government propaganda spiel.
Not the truth, then?
It seems to originate in OSINT reports gleaned from location info on the Russian social media site, Vkontakte.
I’m delighted that the Russian Navy continue to pour resources into this scrap heap. It is great – it reverts them from submarines which would be dangerous!
Please keep spending money on this vanity project. Brilliant idea sending the crew to the front….for NATO…another ‘threat’ the Russian have removed from the chess board all by themselves.
Joking apart this shows how short of men they are.
The dictatorship means that loyalty to the dictator is more advantageous than competence and corruption is led from the top without a squeak of opposition. A great example of how to squander resources and opportunities to serve the national interest.
As if that wasn’t already clear, a demonstration of why Project 2925, the plan for fascist dictatorship in USA, would be a huge failure and end the 250 year experiment in Democracy to the disadvantage of almost all Americans and the free world too.
Patriots put Country over party 🇺🇲
Democracy not dictatorship 💙
I wonder, given Sir Keir’s penchant for throwing people out of the Labour Party who disagree with him, whether loyalty isn’t more advantageous than competence in this country too. I’m pretty sure it was under Sunak.
The Royal Naval Division it is not.
What ever our views on the war, it is sad to see the continued loss of life, as the dictator of Russia continues to throw away Russian lives just to maintain control of the Kremlin.
It will take years for Russia to recover from the rule of Putin, and let’s hope that the Oligarchs get rid of him sooner rather than later
So all Ukraine has to do is watch for black exhaust smoke and a Tug Boat on the battlefield !😉