SEVEROMORSK — The Russian Navy has decided against modernizing its nuclear-powered Kirov-class battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy due to its deteriorating condition and the high cost of repairs. A special commission has reached a preliminary decision that the ship is no longer suitable for restoration, although its final status remains undecided.
Vladimir Maltsev, head of the All-Russian Movement in Support of the Fleet, confirmed the findings to TASS. The cruiser has been out of active service at Severomorsk since autumn 2022.
Modernization Costs and Planned Upgrades
The decision follows the prolonged modernization of its sister ship, Admiral Nakhimov. Originally expected to be completed around 2018, the overhaul was delayed until 2026 and cost more than 200 billion rubles, with estimates reaching approximately $5 billion. The project absorbed resources originally intended for Pyotr Velikiy.
The planned 1144.2M upgrade would have replaced the ship's 20 P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles with 80 universal vertical launch cells for Zircon, Oniks and Kalibr missiles. Its S-300FM air-defense system would have been replaced with up to 96 S-400 missiles.
The cruiser already received several upgrades during its service, including the S-300FM system with 48N6 missiles, Tomb Stone guidance radar, up to 128 Kinzhal short-range surface-to-air missiles and six Kortik close-in weapon systems.
Russia's Shrinking Surface Fleet
During approximately 25 years of active service, Pyotr Velikiy conducted long-range deployments, military exercises and operations in the Mediterranean Sea in support of Russia's intervention in Syria.
The other Kirov-class cruisers, Admiral Ushakov and Admiral Lazarev, have been decommissioned. If Pyotr Velikiy is not restored, Admiral Nakhimov will become the class's only operational nuclear-powered cruiser.
Russia's surface fleet has also lost the Slava-class cruiser Moskva during the war in Ukraine, while modernization of its sole aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, was paused in 2025.
The aging Udaloy-class destroyers, now around 35 to 40 years old, are also facing modernization challenges. Only three have been completed or are undergoing upgrades to the Marshal Shaposhnikov standard.
Russian Navy Shifts Toward Submarines
Russia is increasingly relying on Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates and Steregushchiy-class and Gremyashchiy-class corvettes as the cost of maintaining heavy cruisers and destroyers rises.
The Navy is prioritizing its submarine fleet, including Borei-class ballistic missile submarines and Yasen-class cruise missile submarines. It also continues to operate older Akula, Sierra, Delta-IV and Oscar-class submarines, alongside special-mission submarines.
The final decision on Pyotr Velikiy has not been announced. The commission's preliminary findings indicate that the cruiser is unlikely to receive the extensive modernization originally planned.
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