Russian warships spilled nuclear fuel near Irish coast - Media

17.02.2009
Two Russian warships spilled nuclear fuel in the southern coast of Ireland, the Irish TV channel RTE reported on February 16.

Three days ago, the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov (CV Kuznetsov-1) of the Russian Northern Fleet and the antisubmarine ship Admiral Chabanenko (DDG Udaloy II-1) of the same fleet spilled 12 tonnes of nuclear fuel about 400 km off the coast of the Irish county of Kerry on their way to Severomorsk. The spill covered a surface of 6.5 by 6.5 kilometers, the channel reported.

A spokesman for the Irish Navy confirmed that two Russian and an Irish warship were in the region at the time of the incident.

The Irish coast guard service is investigating the news of the spill. Russian experts are studying fuel samples taken from the region to determine whether they came from Russian warships.

The Admiral Kuznetsov and Admiral Chabanenko are returning to the main base of the Russian Northern Fleet in Severomorsk after a long mission in distant seas.

The Admiral Kuznetsov is Russia's only aircraft carrier. It was launched in 1985 and will be in service in the Russian Navy until 2025. The ship can accommodate more than 50 planes and Yak-41M, Su-27K, and Ka-27 helicopters. Its armament includes the Klinok and Kashtan air-defense complexes. It has a water displacement of 60,000 tonnes and a crew of 1,960.

The Admiral Chabanenko is a multipurpose ocean-zone warship armed with artillery, torpedo-mine, as well as missile and air-defense systems. It was launched in 1992. It can carry two Ka-32 helicopters. It has a water displacement of 7,700 tonnes and a crew of 296.

The two warships are deeply involved in the solution of the problems facing the Russian Navy in world oceans.

Translation: RusNavy.com