In Kamchatka, five vessels, while carrying out scheduled tasks, encountered serious difficulties and ended up trapped in ice. This was reported by Ivan Kapralov, the director of the state-owned enterprise "Kamchattransflot," on his social media.
"The weather played a cruel trick on us, and we—shipowners and crew members of our vessels—found ourselves in a 'mouse trap.' During the passage of a powerful cyclone, the raid of Ust-Kamchatsk became a refuge where wave heights were safe. After the cyclone passed, southerly winds brought small ice floes, and the 'mouse trap' closed. We have been trying for several days to reach open water, but all in vain," wrote Kapralov.
It has been 10 days since the vessels became trapped in ice—since March 21, 2025. The situation is becoming increasingly critical: strong winds and accumulating ice are pushing the vessels ashore, creating additional risks for their safety.
In response to the situation, by agreement between the governor of Kamchatka Krai, Vladimir Solodov, and the leadership of the Pacific Fleet, the icebreaker "Yevpatiy Kolovrat" has been dispatched to assist the sailors. This modern vessel, built according to project 21180M, is capable of handling icy conditions and ensuring safe navigation for ships in challenging climatic conditions.
The icebreaker "Yevpatiy Kolovrat" was commissioned in July 2024 and possesses high maneuverability and powerful icebreaking capabilities. Its involvement in the operation to free the trapped vessels is a key moment in ensuring navigation safety and supporting seafarers.
It is expected that with the help of the icebreaker, the vessels will be successfully freed from the ice and returned to normal operations. The situation remains under control, and all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the crews and the preservation of the vessels.