№ 1320-1323. 50th anniversary of nuclear Russian Navy

“Lenin”

“Lenin”, the first ice breaker in the world using nuclear fuel, was placed into operation in 1959.   The unique vessel became the symbol of power of Russian science and technology, and also the personification of the epoch of atom for peace. This event started the 50-th year history of nuclear icebreaking fleet in Russia. During 30 years of work in north regions, “Lenin” has lead through Arctic ice 3741 vessels. At present the ice breaker is transformed into museum of Arctic and investigation of Northern Sea Route. 

“Taimyr”

“Taimyr”, one-pot ice breaker, was placed into operation in 1989. It (and its twin-brother “Vaigach” ice breaker) is noted for low draught, which enables to enter mouths of rivers. It can work when the outside temperature is -50°C. Its speed is two knots considering ice thickness of 1,77 m. The construction of the ice breaker was ordered by Soviet Union and built at Finnish shipyard (however, from soviet material and equipment), and this fact became an important step in cooperation between Russia and Finland.

“Yamal”

“Yamal” ice breaker was put to operation in 1992. This ice breaker refers to “Arctica” type – the second generation of ice breakers. In 2000 it conducted the expedition to North Pole to meet the third millennium. Yamal is the 12-th vessel, which reached the northernmost place of the Earth. It conducted 39 expeditions of this kind on the whole.

“50-th anniversary of Victory”

The last one, the youngest and biggest ice breaker for present time, “50-th anniversary of Victory”, was launched in 1993, but it was put into operation only in 2007. It is a modernized model of the second series of ice breakers of “Arctica” type. The maximum thickness of ice, with which the ice breaker can cope, is 2.8 m. Modern technologies were used while its building – from biological protection of nuclear installation to digital system of automatic management.