This is the terrifying moment an out-of-control nuclear icebreaker collided with a cargo ship that it had been sent to rescue in the Arctic.
The nuclear-powered vessel, named The Fifty Years of Victory, was on its way to free the bulk carrier Yamal Krechet after it became stuck in the ice in the Kara Sea.
But as it approached the trapped vessel, it began careering towards it and was unable to change direction.
Shocking footage from onboard The Fifty Years of Victory shows it ploughing directly into the side of the Yamal Krechet.
The ship – which was built to smash through ice ten feet thick – strikes the cargo ship’s hull, causing it to rock back and forth.
It then immediately reversed course and backed away after the nighttime collision.
The Fifty Years of Victory and the other ship both sustained hull damage following the incident, which is expected to lead to a criminal investigation.
Russian officials have stressed there is no threat to the nuclear reactor installation and life support systems on the icebreaker.
This is the terrifying moment an out-of-control nuclear icebreaker collided with a cargo ship that it had been sent to rescue in the Arctic
Shocking footage from onboard The Fifty Years of Victory vessel shows it ploughing directly into the side of the Yamal Krechet
Pictures show the devastating damage inflicted on the hull of the Russian nuclear icebreaker Fifty Years of Victory
Initial reports failed to explain the drama, as shown in the footage, and did not reveal there had been a collision.
RosAtomflot, which is responsible for the Russian nuclear icebreaker ship, said: ‘The 50 let Pobedy [Fifty Years of Victory] icebreaker sustained damage of port side edge plating at night on January 26 in the Kara Sea in harsh Arctic conditions, when doing ice cutting.
‘Nobody was injured.
‘Seaworthiness properties were not lost.
‘There is no threat to life support systems and the reactor unit.’
A source added: ‘The nuclear icebreaker continues to operate in the waters of the Northern Sea Route in normal mode.’
The Fifty Years of Victory sustained hull damage following the incident, with pictures showing a significant proportion of the hull having been torn away
Damage to the hull of The Fifty Years of Victory shows some of the metal having been stripped away, revealing the inside of the vessel
The Yamal Krechet cargo ship is pictured stationary in the Kara Sea
The Yamal Krechet, which is a general cargo ship built in 1999, is seen travelling through the ice in the Arctic
The Yamal Krechet is a general cargo ship which was built in 1999.
The icebreaker is powered by two OK-900A nuclear reactors, each producing 171 MW of thermal power.
The reactors supply steam to turbines, generating 54 MW of power to drive the icebreaker’s three propellers.
The vessel was launched in 2007.
