TNI: "Admiral Kuznetsov" ranked fifth in the ranking of the most powerful cruisers in the world

The Russian heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser "Admiral Kuznetsov" was included among the strongest aircraft carriers in history, taking fifth place in the ranking by the American publication The National Interest.

TNI experts compiled a top 10 of the largest aircraft carriers ever launched. The ranking primarily takes into account displacement and the historical significance of the ships. First place is held by the American supercarriers of the Gerald R. Ford and Nimitz classes, followed by other large American ships such as Enterprise and Kitty Hawk. In fifth position was precisely "Admiral Kuznetsov" — the most powerful aircraft carrier ever operated outside NATO and China.

The authors emphasize the unique features of the Russian ship: a ski-jump ramp for aircraft takeoff and powerful missile armament, reflecting the Soviet doctrine in which the emphasis was placed on self-defense and versatility rather than only on the aviation component. The ship is capable of carrying up to 30–50 aircraft, including Su-33 and MiG-29K fighters, as well as Ka-27 and Ka-31 helicopters. Its main purpose is to engage large surface targets, protect naval formations, and support amphibious operations.

Despite the high assessment in the ranking by size and potential, the publication notes serious difficulties: since 2017–2018, the ship has been undergoing prolonged repairs and modernization at a ship repair yard in Murmansk. According to the latest data, the modernization has effectively been suspended, and the ship's future remains uncertain — both the resumption of repairs and decommissioning are possible.

"Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" (former names: "Leonid Brezhnev", "Tbilisi") is a Soviet and Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser of Project 1143.5, the only aircraft-carrying ship and flagship of the Russian Navy and the Northern Fleet.

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