- Explorers were travelling in trucks across stretches of northwestern Russia
- The group encountered a massive icebreaker ‘Taymyr’ just meters from them
- ‘Taymyr’ built during the Cold War is one of the largest of its kind in the world
This is the incredible moment a huge nuclear-powered icebreaker smashes through layers of ice just meters from a group of adventurers.
A group of explorers were travelling in Toyota trucks across stretches of northwestern Russia when they encountered the colossal ship.
It is unclear whether the icebreaker ‘Taymyr’ noticed the group as it waded through the ice but considering its fast pace things could have ended very differently.
Taymyr, one of the world’s largest icebreakers, was built in Finland for Russia during the final years of the Cold War.
The massive ship was commissioned into service in 1989 and measures an impressive 490 feet in length and weights around 21,000 tons.
It is powered by a single nuclear reactor which can be located in the center of the boat’s hull.
A group of explorers were stood just meters from this icebreaker when it smashed through the ice in front of them
The boat can operate in areas where there is more ice than draft making Taymyr ideal for cutting paths through large rivers and channels.
Taymyr, which has a sister-ship in her class, Vaygach, has a crew of 115 and can accommodate around 140 people on expeditions.
Russia has said several times that Taymyr will be retired soon however the ship is still going strong at the moment.
It is unclear whether the icebreaker ‘Taymyr’ noticed the group as it waded through the ice
The Russian fleet of icebreakers is currently at around 40 but still continues to increase.
In comparison the US has just one fully operational icebreaker and another which is half operational.
With energy reserves and emerging trade routes becoming strategic prizes for itself experts have claimed that Russia is working on securing the arctic for itself.