According to information published by Tass on November 2022, the nuclear-powered icebreaker Yakutia was launched at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg in northwest Russia. The ceremony was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin via video link.
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Russian Project 22220 nuclear icebreaker Yakutia. (Picture source: Baltic Shipyard)
The Yakutia belongs to a series of new versatile Project 22220 nuclear-powered icebreakers that are being built for Russia’s Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation and are the largest and the most powerful in the world.
A total of five icebreakers will be constructed in accordance with the project, which has been underway since 2013. The Arktika and Sibir icebreakers have already joined Russia’s nuclear fleet.
The Yakutia is the fourth Project 22220 vessel laid down in 2020. After being launched, the icebreaker will be outfitted at a special quay of the Baltic Shipyard.
The Baltic Shipyard is one of the largest shipbuilding enterprises in Russia, which was founded in 1856. The enterprise is integrated into the United Shipbuilding Corporation and specializes in building large ships and vessels.
The shipyard has manufacturing facilities and modern equipment for full cycle work. In total, the Baltic Shipyard has built more than 600 warships, submarines, and civilian ships over its more than 160-year long history.
Project 22220, also known through the Russian type size series designation LK-60Ya, is a series of Russian nuclear-powered icebreakers. The lead ship of the class, Arktika, was delivered in 2020 and surpassed the preceding Soviet-built series of nuclear-powered icebreakers as the largest and most powerful icebreaker in the world.
Project 22220 icebreakers are 173.3 metres (569 ft) long overall and 160.0 metres (525 ft) at design waterline. While the maximum beam is 34 metres (112 ft), at design waterline the width of the hull reduces to 33 metres (108 ft) due to inclined sides.
