Admiral Nakhimov: Russia’s $5 Billion Drydocked Paperweight

Russia’s naval ambitions are like a bad reality show—full of overpromises, missed deadlines, and spectacular failures.

The Admiral Nakhimov before its “modernization.” Russian MoD picture.

Russia’s latest boondoggle is the so-called modernization of the Admiral Nakhimov, a battlecruiser that has spent more time in dry dock than actually floating on H2O.

After 27 years of repairs, billions of dollars down the drain, and a parade of failed completion dates, the ship’s nuclear reactor was finally activated at the end of 2024. But before anyone starts thinking Russia is about to unleash a high-tech naval powerhouse, let’s take a step back and appreciate why Admiral Nakhimov is set to be the next in a long line of Russian military embarrassments.

A Titanic (Soviet) Relic

First, let’s talk about the history of this beast. The Admiral Nakhimov, originally known as Kalinin, was commissioned in 1988 during the last gasp of the Soviet Union.

It was built at a time when the USSR was still trying to maintain its global military ambitions, but reality caught up fast. After the Soviet collapse, Russia’s economy imploded, and so did its ability to maintain a navy.

By 1999, Nakhimov was permanently docked at Sevmash, effectively mothballed due to a lack of funds, expertise, and purpose.

Every few years, Russian officials dusted off the ship’s rusting hull and claimed a triumphant return was just around the corner.

In 2008, they promised it would be ready by 2012. That became 2018. Then 2022. Then 2024. Now they’re saying 2026. At this point, they might as well just rename it Admiral Maybe Someday and save everyone the trouble.

The Admiral Kuznetsov Playbook

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s because Russia’s only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, has already perfected this tragic comedy.