Russia's largest nuclear-powered icebreaker has caught fire

A fire broke out on a Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker in the Murmansk region, Russian media reported, citing local emergency services.

The fire was under control, and there were no casualties

RBC News reported that the fire was under control and there was no danger of it spreading. According to the Ministry of Emergency Management, the fire has already been extinguished. No injuries were reported.

Murmansk, December 24. /TASS/. Fire in an area of ​​30 square metres. It was signed on board the nuclear-powered container ship “Sevmorbot”, which is located at the pier of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “Atomflot” in Murmansk. pic.twitter.com/UQeUU43yEL

– @BrennapunktUA 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@BrennapunktUA) December 24, 2023

“Sevmorbot” is the largest icebreaker in Russia and the fourth largest icebreaker in the world

According to the state-run RIA news agency, the nuclear-powered ship is Sevmorbot, Russia's only icebreaker.

The official Russian news agency RIA also reported that the nuclear-powered container ship “Sevmorbot” is the only nuclear-powered icebreaker transport ship in Russia, and it is also the fourth largest ship in the world.

❗Nuclear-powered container ship #safemorebot, moored at the Atomflot pier in 🇷🇺Murmansk, is on fire. This is the largest nuclear-powered ship in Russia and the fourth in the world!

Merry Christmas !https://t.co/SJLE7pOlY5 pic.twitter.com/3S8idRKaw1

– Azov South (@Azovsouth) December 24, 2023

Unlike traditional icebreakers, this is an ice-breaking container ship. It has the ability to cut ice up to one meter thick into two parts, has cranes on deck and can carry up to 1,324 TEU.

The first test flight of the nuclear-powered container ship “Sevmorbot” was carried out as part of a joint pilot project of the Rosatom Directorate for the Northern Sea Route and Atomflot, with the aim of organizing regular trips along the Arctic Sea Route, in August 2019.