Former Russian aircraft carrier catches fire during renovation in China

A significant fire broke out onboard the decommissioned Soviet-era Minsk aircraft carrier while it was undergoing renovations in the Chinese city of Nantong.  

The blaze, which began in the late afternoon, eventually engulfed most of the historic ship. No casualties have been reported. 

The fire was contained the following morning. Authorities are working to determine the cause of the fire and assess the full extent of the damage. 

The Minsk was a central feature of Shenzhen’s Minsk World theme park. In 2016, after being slated to become the centerpiece of a resort in Nantong, it was towed to an artificial lagoon on the Yangtze River for repairs. 

The Chinese career of Soviet carriers

The Minsk, a Kiev-class heavy aircraft carrier, was commissioned in 1978. The Kiev-class carriers were designed to protect Soviet shores from naval threats. The Minsk was equipped to operate the Yakovlev Yak-38, a Soviet vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The vessel was decommissioned in 1993 and acquired by China in 1998.  

The vessel, along with its sister ship, the Kiev, was bought with the potential to enhance China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) capabilities.  

However, after review, the decision was made to repurpose the two vessels as tourist attractions.  

In 1998, a Macau-based company acquired the unfinished hull of the Varyag, sistership of the Russian Navy flagship Admiral Kuznetsov, from Ukraine. The aircraft carrier, since renamed Liaoning, was refurbished and eventually commissioned by the PLAN in 2012.