Ilya Muromets (Project 21180)

The Ilya Muromets (Project 21180) is a Russian diesel-electric icebreaker designed to support the Russian Navy's operations in Arctic conditions. It serves as a multi-functional vessel capable of icebreaking, towing, transporting cargo, and conducting search and rescue missions. The ship can traverse ice fields up to one meter thick to clear paths for other naval vessels.

Project 21180 was developed by the Vympel Design Bureau to address the Russian Navy's lack of modern, dedicated auxiliary icebreakers for Arctic patrol support. Construction of the Ilya Muromets began at Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg in 2015, and the vessel was officially commissioned into the Northern Fleet in November 2017. Since entering service, it has been actively deployed in the Arctic to maintain shipping lanes, transport supplies to remote bases, and participate in regional military exercises.