Yakutia nuclear icebreaker launched

Putin said, "I sincerely thank our shipbuilders, nuclear scientists, designers, workers, engineers, all specialists who participate in the creation of these high-tech, unique - without any exaggeration - ships, for their great work, for their professionalism, for their readiness to develop, to achieve the most ambitious goals."

Russia has previously said it plans to build six Project 22220 vessels. With Arktika and Sibir already in service, Ural nearly ready having completed sea trials, Yakutia just launched and Chukotka currently under construction, that leaves one outstanding. However, the Baltic Shipyard reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, said that "Rosatom must conclude a contract ... for the construction of two icebreakers."

Project 22220 vessels are powered by two RITM-200 pressurised water reactors, mounted side by side, which produce total thermal power of up to 350 MWt which converts to 60 MW at the propellers. They are intended to service and maintain the passage of large tankers and container vessels through the Northern Sea Route that enables a shorter route between Northern Europe and the Far East.