MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. The Admiral Nakhimov heavy nuclear cruiser of project 11442M will sail out this month for trials on auxiliary engines while nuclear reactors will remain inactive, a shipbuilding source told TASS.

"In the coming days, the cruiser will leave Sevmash Shipyard and will sail out for several days for trials. Auxiliary engines will power the warship," he said. The physical launch of the two nuclear reactors will take place after the return to Sevmash.

TASS has no official confirmation of the report.

A Navy source earlier said the reactors were to be launched in late November. Another shipbuilding source said the warship would undergo degaussing this year without sailing out.

The United Shipbuilding Corporation said the Admiral Nakhimov has to begin running trials in 2024. The cruiser has been awaiting overhaul since 1999, but real work began in 2013. According to the initial schedule, the warship had to begin trials in 2021 and rejoin the Navy in 2022.

The overhaul and upgrade will considerably increase the firepower and arm the cruiser with Zircon hypersonic missiles and ten launchers for eight Kalibr-NK or Onyx missiles each.

Sevmash Shipyard CEO Mikhail Budnichenko said in August 2023 the cruiser would be able to operate in any part of the World Ocean and in any weather and climate. The warship will serve at least 30 years after the overhaul.

The Admiral Nakhimov heavy nuclear cruiser is designed to destroy sea targets, strike at coastal objects, ensure air defense of a navy formation. It was floated in 1986 and became operational in 1988. It has been berthed at Sevmash since 1999. The decision to restore the warship was made in 2012. An overhaul contract was signed in 2013. The displacement is 24,500 tons, the length is 251 meters. Full speed power is 140,000 HP, the speed is 31 knots. The crew comprises 728 men. The cruiser can carry a Ka-27 helicopter or its modifications.