Fire Breaks Out on Retired Minsk Aircraft Carrier

A significant fire broke out on the retired Soviet aircraft carrier Minsk during renovation and dismantling operations along the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province on August 16. The blaze, which destroyed much of the ship's bridge and superstructure, was extinguished by the following day, with no reported casualties. Originally launched in 1978, the Minsk was decommissioned in 1993 and has since undergone several ownership changes and failed renovation projects aimed at transforming it into a tourist attraction. Local authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, which occurred at the Su Xitong Technology Industrial Park where the carrier had been located since 2016. The Minsk's history reflects a turbulent legacy, transitioning from a symbol of Soviet naval power to a decaying relic of past ambitions. Its future now remains uncertain following the extensive damage from the fire.