Russian nuclear battleship 'could explode'

One of Russia’s most powerful ships, the nuclear-powered Peter the Great missile cruiser, was in dire condition and could explode at any moment, a Russian navy chief said today.

Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov said the heavy cruiser had been badly maintained and was unfit for service.

He said he had ordered the captain to return to port and fix the ship in two weeks.

“During that time, the captain must correct all the flaws related to the ship’s maintenance,” Kuroyedov said, according to Interfax news agency.

Kuroyedov did not provide details of the ship’s condition, but said the shortcomings also related to maintenance of the ship’s nuclear reactor.

He ordered the measure after inspecting the ship on exercise in the Barents Sea. The ship’s base is Murmansk

The business daily Kommersant said that Kuroyedov’s decision to declare the Peter the Great unfit for service could have stemmed from his personal conflict with Retired Admiral Igor Kasatonov, uncle of the cruiser’s captain, Rear Admiral Vladimir Kasatonov.

Kuroyedov could be also aiming at the Northern Fleet’s ex-chief, Admiral Gennady Suchkov, who had been temporarily relieved of his duties pending the official investigation into his role into the sinking of a decommissioned nuclear fleet submarine in August.

The Russian media have criticised Kuroyedov over the sinking and other accidents in the underfunded Russian navy.