Wärtsilä Admiral Makarov

History

Admiral Makarov is a Project R-1039 diesel-electric icebreaker built in 1975 at the Wärtsilä shipyard in Helsinki, Finland, for the Soviet Union. It belongs to the Yermak-class series of large icebreakers constructed in Finland. Its principal role is to escort transport vessels through difficult ice conditions.

The icebreaker operated for many years in the Russian Far East and was later used in the Arctic. In late 2025, it was transferred to Rosmorport's Northwestern Basin Branch. After completion of its current repairs, the vessel was planned to support winter navigation to Russian ports in the eastern Gulf of Finland.

Admiral Makarov entered an extended repair period in 2025. On September 5, 2026, a fire broke out aboard the vessel at the Kronstadt Marine Plant. No casualties were reported, while the cause of the fire and the extent of damage remained undisclosed in the available reports.

Construction and service

The vessel was completed in 1975 as part of the Project R-1039 Yermak-class series. The class was built by Wärtsilä in Finland for the Soviet Union. Admiral Makarov subsequently served in the Far East and later participated in Arctic operations.

In spring 2025, the icebreaker was placed in dock for repairs to its hull, propellers, and three propeller shafts. Work on its main engines was also underway, with completion planned by the end of 2026. A later repair report stated that Rosmorport had allocated almost 165 million rubles for restoration of auxiliary engines and associated equipment.

In late 2025, Admiral Makarov was transferred to Rosmorport's Northwestern Basin Branch. The intended post-repair assignment was to escort vessels to ports in the eastern Gulf of Finland during winter navigation.

September 2026 fire

A fire started aboard Admiral Makarov at the Kronstadt Marine Plant on September 5, 2026, while the vessel was undergoing repairs. A Militarnyi report placed the origin of the fire in the steering-gear compartment, where components controlling the rudder drive are located. The initial affected area was estimated at about 100 square metres.

Other reporting gave a smaller figure. UNITED24 Media reported an affected area of roughly 80 square metres. A total of 52 emergency responders and 10 pieces of equipment were deployed. Open burning was eliminated within about two hours. The September 7 report stated that firefighters continued cooling the structures and that the fire was fully extinguished at about 18:30, roughly four hours after it began. No casualties were reported. The available sources did not establish whether the fire would delay the planned completion of repairs.

Design

Admiral Makarov is a large diesel-electric icebreaker designed to maintain navigation through heavy ice. A published vessel description identifies a triple-screw arrangement, four decks, a forecastle and poop, an elongated superstructure, a forward deckhouse, a centrally located engine room, an icebreaker bow, and a cruiser stern.

Propulsion

The power plant uses nine main diesel engines with a combined output of about 30.5 MW. Electrical transmission drives three propellers. This diesel-electric arrangement allows the propulsion machinery to provide the high torque required for low-speed operation in ice.

Icebreaking capability

The vessel is reported to be capable of moving through continuous ice up to about 1.5 metres thick at approximately 2 knots. Its maximum speed in open water is reported as about 19.5 to 20 knots.

Operational history

Admiral Makarov spent a substantial part of its service life in the Russian Far East and was later assigned to Arctic work. Its duties included supporting navigation in difficult ice conditions. Following its transfer to Rosmorport's Northwestern Basin Branch in late 2025, the planned role after repair was winter escort work in the eastern Gulf of Finland.

Repair status

As of September 2026, Admiral Makarov remained under repair at the Kronstadt Marine Plant. The repair program included work on the hull, propellers, three propeller shafts, main engines, auxiliary engines, and associated equipment. Main-engine work had been scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The effect of the September 5 fire on this schedule had not been disclosed.

Specifications (Admiral Makarov)

General characteristics

• Type: Project R-1039 diesel-electric icebreaker
• Class: Yermak class
• Builder: Wärtsilä, Helsinki, Finland
• Completed: 1975
• Displacement: approximately 20,247 tonnes
• Length: 134.84 m
• Beam: 26.05 m
• Draft: up to 11 m
• Crew: 58
• Fuel endurance: up to three months

Propulsion and performance

• Main engines: nine diesel engines
• Total power: approximately 30.5 MW
• Propellers: three
• Maximum speed: approximately 19.5-20 knots
• Icebreaking capability: continuous ice up to approximately 1.5 m thick at about 2 knots

Related equipment

Admiral Makarov is part of the Finnish-built Yermak-class series. The available vessel summary also identifies Krasin, completed in 1976, as a sister ship.