Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the command to launch the nuclear-powered icebreaker Chukotka via video link from Moscow. The ceremony takes place on the territory of the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg. This was reported by TASS.

Andrey Puchkov, General Director of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, reported to the President on the readiness of the icebreaker.

'The descent is authorised,' Putin replied. After that, the command 'Cut the retainer' was sounded, and the workers began dismantling the restraint device. A few minutes later, the huge vessel went down the sloping slipway into the water. The President and the rest of the participants greeted this with applause.

'I congratulate everyone once again!' said Putin.

Elena Shmeleva, head of the Talent and Success Foundation and Chairwoman of the Sirius Federal Territory Council, became the godmother of the icebreaker Chukotka.

'Now on one such nuclear-powered icebreaker, Sirius scientists have returned from a 45-day trip. It was a scientific expedition, they were investigating the permafrost, how it affects carbon levels, and they brought back huge amounts of soil, water samples and will be investigating to draw unprecedented conclusions. We hope that the next scientific expedition can take place on the icebreaker Chukotka or on the ship that will accompany it. So we ask very much that this research and development function only be developed,' she said.

The Chukotka icebreaker is the fifth vessel (fourth serial vessel) of Project 22220, built at the Baltic Shipyard under the order of Rosatom State Corporation. Previously, the enterprise produced serial icebreakers Sibir and Ural, as well as the lead vessel Arktika.

The Project 22220 universal nuclear-powered icebreakers are the largest and most powerful icebreaking vessels in the world. They play a key role in ensuring year-round navigation along the North Sea Route, contributing to the socio-economic development of Russia's Arctic zone.