03.10.2008 The Sevmash yard in Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk Oblast, has started the discharging of spent nuclear fuel from the cruiser Admiral Nakhimov. The vessel has been moored by the yard since 1999 awaiting the operation.
According to the Sevmash press service, the operation is conducted by local specialists together with representatives of the Nizhny Novgorod-based company OKBM Afrikantov and the crew of a support vessel from the Belomorye navy base.
Lack of funding has forced the Navy to let heavy cruiser lie moored in Severodvinsk for the last nine years. The 24,500 ton vessel still remains in good shape thanks to regular maintenance from Sevmash.
The Admiral Nakhimov is 251 meter long. It has two reactors. The main military hardware is Granit cruiser missile, the Fort anti-aircraft missile, as well as the Osa-MA and Vodopad missiles. The ship also has three Ka-27 helicopters, Sevmash informs.