Reported to have completed sea trials in mid-December, Russia’s latest nuclear icebreaker, the 209-metre Yakutiya, is being readied for service on the country’s Arctic seaway, the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

Hosting 60MW of propulsive power, the vessel is the fourth representative of the domestically-designed, -engineered and -built Arktika series commissioned by operator FSUE Atomflot. Variously known as the Project 22220 or LK-60 generation, the type made its debut in 2020 with the delivery of first-of-class Arktika from Baltiysky Zavod, part of state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation.

Second and third ships Sibir and Ural were completed in December 2021 and towards the end of 2022, respectively. Yakutiya is due to be followed in 2026 by a fifth newbuild, the Chukotka, which was launched at the St Petersburg yard in November this year.