ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A new ice-class patrol ship of Project 23550 dubbed "Nikolay Zubov" was launched in St. Petersburg, the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Wednesday.
In a speech at a ceremony at the Admiralty Shipyards, Navy Commander-in-Chief Alexander Moiseyev stated that the ships of this project will significantly increase the operational potential and capabilities of the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet and allow Russia to further strengthen its presence in the remote areas of the Far North.
"Nikolay Zubov" is the second ship of Project 23550 being built for the Russian Navy. Currently, "Ivan Papanin," the first in the series, is undergoing a number of tests and is scheduled to be transferred to the combat composition of the Russian Navy in 2025.
The icebreaking ships of Project 23550 measures about 114 meters in length and 20 meters in width. They are designed for various missions, including protecting Arctic water resources, escorting and towing detained ships to port, supporting supply vessels, and targeting sea, coastal and air threats. ■
