Key Points and Summary – Admiral Kuznetsov’s 2016–17 deployment to Syria marked Russia’s first carrier-based combat operations. Sailing with a heavy escort, the ship launched Su-33s, MiG-29KRs, and Ka-52Ks for strikes supporting Assad while companion ships fired Kalibr cruise missiles.
-But the cruise also exposed chronic limitations: two jets were lost after arresting-gear failures, sortie rates lagged, and most airpower shifted ashore to Khmeimim.
Admiral Kuznetsov Aircraft Carrier Russia. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Admiral Kuznetsov. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
-Strategically, the carrier’s presence bolstered Moscow’s credibility, deterred outside meddling, and offered rare at-sea experience for Russian naval aviation.
-After returning home, Kuznetsov entered a protracted overhaul—its accident-scarred record and uncertain future still shadowing Russia’s flagship. She is most likely now permanently non-operational.
Admiral Kuznetsov’s Only War: PR Stunt or Combat Lesson?
Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Admiral Kuznetsov has been Russia’s only aircraft carrier, acting as the flagship of the Russian Navy.
Unfortunately, the carrier is also among the Navy’s most accident-prone ships, suffering multiple technical breakdowns throughout its life cycle.
It has only ever experienced combat in Syria when it, along with other Russian naval vessels, intervened on behalf of the Syrian government in 2016.
Even this relatively brief combat deployment saw several issues that resulted in the loss of at least one aircraft.
Why Russia Intervened in Syria
The history of the Syrian civil war is long and complicated. Long story short, Russia had pledged to protect the government regime led by Bashar al-Assad, who had allowed Russia to maintain several military sites on Syrian land.
In 2015, Russia initiated a prolonged air campaign at the request of the Syrian government against several anti-government coalitions, like the Free Syrian Army and various Islamic militants.
Initially, Russia’s involvement was limited to its air force, but gradually its presence expanded with the use of naval missile ships.
By late 2016, the Syrian battlefield was in flux. Government forces had made gains in Aleppo, but the Islamic State had retaken Palmyra, and opposition groups were consolidating under extremist umbrellas such as the Al-Nusra Front.
Admiral Kuznetsov. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Admiral Kuznetsov Russia Aircraft Carrier. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Russia had already been conducting air operations from land bases in Syria since September 2015, but in 2016, it was gearing up for further offensive actions.
Admiral Kuznetsov Enters the Fray
The Admiral Kuznetsov sailed as part of a larger task force that included the nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, anti-submarine warfare ships such as Severomorsk and Vice-Admiral Kulakov, and several support vessels.
There were also reports suggesting that nuclear-powered submarines may have accompanied the group, although this was never officially confirmed. This fleet joined other Russian naval assets already stationed in the region, forming a significant maritime presence off the Syrian coast.
The carrier’s air wing was modest compared to Western standards but still served as a significant addition to Russia’s operational capabilities in the region.
It included Su-33 fighters, primarily designed for fleet air defense; MiG-29KR/KUBR multirole fighters capable of ground-attack missions; and a variety of helicopters, including the Ka-27PL for anti-submarine warfare, Ka-27PS for search and rescue, and the Ka-52K “Katran” for close air support and reconnaissance.
The presence of these aircraft allowed Russia to conduct carrier-based airstrikes for the first time in its history.
The Russian Navy in Action
Combat operations began in November 2016. Russian officials reported that the carrier’s air wing flew over 400 sorties during the deployment, with more than 100 conducted at night and many in adverse weather conditions.
These missions targeted rebel positions in Aleppo and other contested areas, striking command centers, fortified positions, and concentrations of enemy forces. The Ka-52K helicopters were particularly useful in urban combat scenarios, providing close air support to Syrian ground troops.
In addition to airstrikes, the task group launched Kalibr cruise missiles from surface ships in mid-November.
These precision-guided weapons targeted rebel infrastructure and command nodes, adding another layer of firepower to Russia’s campaign. The use of Kalibr missiles was also a strategic message to NATO, demonstrating Russia’s ability to strike targets from long distances with high accuracy.
Some Technical Difficulties
Unsurprisingly, Admiral Kuznetsov encountered several technical difficulties.
On November 13, a MiG-29K crashed while attempting to land on the carrier, reportedly due to mechanical failure.
According to reports, the issue stemmed from a broken arresting gear that failed to recover the incoming aircraft correctly. Not long afterward, a Su-33 was also lost, due to the same mechanical failure. This incident highlighted the vessel’s technical limitations, which maintenance issues had long plagued.
As a result of technical issues, the carrier’s air wing was transferred to Khmeimim Air Base while the problems were resolved.
These shortcomings did not go unnoticed. Western analysts viewed the deployment as more of a public relations exercise than a strategic necessity.
While the carrier did contribute to combat operations, its impact was limited compared to Russia’s land-based air assets.
Nonetheless, the mission provided valuable experience for Russian naval aviators and planners, who had never before conducted carrier-based combat missions.
Mission Accomplished?
Despite the technical mishaps, the Admiral Kuznetsov had served its purpose. The presence of the carrier strike group served as a deterrent to Western intervention and signaled Moscow’s long-term commitment to its allies in the Middle East. It also allowed Russia to test its naval logistics and coordination in a real-world scenario, which offered insights into the challenges of sustaining operations far from home waters.
Following the announcement of a ceasefire on December 30, 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial drawdown of forces in Syria.
The Admiral Kuznetsov and its accompanying ships began their return journey in January 2017, passing through the Northern waters off Norway before returning to Russia.
The carrier then docked for a large-scale overhaul of its electronics and mechanical systems. The airline has been docked ever since; its future is currently uncertain.
However, at this point, the aircraft carrier must be considered ‘non-operational’ and likely to be decommissioned and scrapped.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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