The concept picture of the vessel. Source: Atom Media, Rosatom
On 18 November, Russia laid down a new nuclear icebreaker Stalingrad at the Baltic Shipyard. The vessel is to be commissioned in 2030.
Ceremony
During the ceremony, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech through a video-conference, marking the symbolism of the ship’s name and the historic significance of the future addition to the fleet:
“Today’s keel-laying date for this powerful new icebreaker is especially significant. It was during these days that the fierce battle for Stalingrad marked a turning point [in the Second World War—Ed.], the Soviet offensive began, culminating in the encirclement and complete defeat of the enemy force, and from the banks of the Volga, our troops advanced relentlessly toward Victory.”
Russian President sees the Stalingrad as a symbol of “the talent, strength, and creative energy of our people, their ability to set and implement the most daring plans, and to persevere in the most difficult times.”
Rosatom’s Director General, Alexey Likhachev, reiterated the symbolism: “Slightly earlier, on September 28, 1942, <…> the State Defence Committee decided to organise uranium research, effectively restarting the nuclear project in our country. It’s certainly no coincidence, but the Soviet offensive at Stalingrad was codenamed Uranus.”
During the ceremony, Likhachev received a capsule with soil from Mamayev Kurgan. It was handed to him by the veteran of the Great Patriotic War and the Battle of Stalingrad, Pavel Vinokurov. It will be stored on the ship.
Project 22220 Parameters
| Length | Width | Height | Power | Speed | Icebreaking Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 173.3 m | 34 m | 15.2 m | 60 MWt | 22 knots | 3 metres |
At this point, Russia’s icebreaking fleet consists of 34 diesel and 8 nuclear icebreakers. The 22220 project icebreakers are the following:
- Head nuclear icebreaker Arktika
- Sibir
- Ural
- Yakutia
Two more icebreakers are currently under construction at the Baltic Shipyard: Chukotka and Leningrad.
The icebreaking fleet’s development, especially nuclear ones, remains one of the top priorities for Russia’s vision of the Northern Sea Route.