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Background : Project 1143 “Krechyet” (Gyrfalcon) was the first class of fixed-wing aircraft carriers built by the Soviet Union, succeeding the Moskva-class of helicopter carriers. Originally, the Soviet Navy wanted a fully fledged carrier that could rival the US Navy’s Kitty Hawk-class - Project 1153 “Orel” - but due to cost effectiveness, Project 1143 was chosen.
The Kiev-class ties the line between aircraft carrier and aircraft cruiser as it doesn’t sport a full flight deck. Indeed, the foredeck is covered with a mixture of surface and anti air armament and the flight deck, angled, only stops at 2/3rds of the ship’s length with a large island located on the starboard side. Despite being 42 000 tons heavy, the Soviet Navy designated them as “aircraft carrying cruisers” in order to get around the Montreux Convention of 1936 which prohibited warships heavier than 15 000 tons to cross the Bosphorus Strait. The ships' intended mission was to provide support for strategic missile submarines and other surface units. With their diverse weapons suite, the Kievs were capable of engaging in surface, anti aircraft and anti submarine warfare. An evolution of the design, Project 1143.5, became what is known today as the Admiral Kuznetsov -class.
Four Kiev-class carriers were commissioned by the Soviet Navy. Kiev, Minsk and Novorossiysk. Due to the numerous differences she presented compared to her sisters, Baku became her own subclass. Kiev and Minsk were sold to China and converted into amusement parks whilst Novorossiysk was scrapped in Pohang, South Korea in 1997. Baku was transferred to the Russian Navy before being sold to India in 2004. Recommissioned as INS Vikramaditya by the Indian Navy in 2013 after an extensive modernization, she is still in active service.
Kiev, lead ship of her class, was laid down on July 21 1970 at Shipyard No. 198, Nikolayev (now Mykolaiv) on slipway No. 0. She was launched the 26 December 1972 and commissioned the 28 December 1975 but only entered service in February 1977. She sported an impressive armament consisting of 8 P-500 Bazalt (NATO designation “SS-N-12 Sandbox”) in 4 twin launchers, two M-11 Shtorm SAM (SA-N-3 Goblet) with 72 missiles, 2 M-4 Osa-M (SA-N-4 Gecko), two AK-726 57mm in twin turrets, 1 RPK-1 Vikhr (SUW-N-1) with 16 nuclear warheads, 2 RBU-6000 ASW rockets and 8 AK-630 CIWS. She had an airwing of 12 Yak-38M “Forger”, and 20 Kamov Ka-25 “Hormone” or Ka-27 “Helix”.
Kiev set sail the 16 of July 1976 from Sevastopol and crossed the Bosphorus Strait, triggering international protests. She then proceeded to test the Yak-36M (pre production units of the Yak-38) in the Mediterranean off Crete before heading to Severomorsk where she arrived on 10 of August to join the Northern Fleet. She conducted further tests up to December in order to allow the pilots to familiarize themselves with flight operations. In April 1977, she took part in the Sever-77 exercise. Later that year, her designation was changed from Protivolodochnyye Kreysery (PKR) "ASW cruiser" to Tyazhelyye Avianesushchiye Kreysery (TAVKR) "Heavy aircraft carrying cruiser". From 20 December 1977 to 21 April 1978, Kiev participated in various operations in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. She hit a sandbar on November 3 1978, but suffered no damage. Final tests with the main missiles were conducted on 11 October in the White Sea.
From 1977 to 1987, Kiev deployed 10 times in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean for various exercises. March 79 saw her sortieing with her sistership Minsk, with additional deployments during the next two years. Kiev acted as the flagship of the fleet deployed during exercise Zapad-81 in October 81 in the Baltic Sea. With between 100.000 and 150.000 troops deployed, this was the largest military exercise ever conducted by the Soviet Union. The goal, aside from being a show of force to NATO, was to intimidate the population of the People’s Republic of Poland and remind them that the Soviet Union was not afraid of using force to maintain the Polish Communist Party in power like they did in Berlin in 1953 and Prague in 68.
Kiev returned to Nikolayev for an overhaul that would last from December 1982 to November 1984. A partial modernization was also conducted. The next year saw her airgroup switching from STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) to VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) for their Yak-38. This allowed an increase of the aircraft’s range and payload. The Ka-25 were also replaced by the newer Ka-27. The period between 1985 and 87 saw her conducting additional exercises in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. She ran into a bad storm during the transition to the Mediterranean on her tenth deployment. One sailor went overboard and was not found, despite a 3 day search. On June 23 1987, she limped back to Severomorsk for repairs as only 2 of her 8 boilers were operable.
Kiev conducted her last trip to sea in the summer of 1990 and in 1991 was moved to the reserve fleet. With the collapse of the USSR, she was transferred to the Russian Navy but her worsening condition (courtesy of two fires, lack of funding, spare parts and other things), saw her being decommissioned in 1993.
In 1999, the Russian Federation sold Kiev to the Chinese-American company Maritime Suppliers LLC for scrap which in turn resold her to the Chinese company Tianma. Kiev was then towed to China and incorporated to the park of Tianjin where she became a museum ship in 2004 before being converted into a luxury hotel in 2011. She is still there.
Namesake : Kyiv (Kiev in Russian) is the capital and most populated city in Ukraine. Located in the north-central part of the country, along the Dnipro River, the city is an important industrial, educational, cultural and scientific center in Eastern Europe and is home of many high tech industries, higher education institutions and numerous landmarks. With a population of 2 952 301 identified in January 2022, Kyiv is currently the seventh most populated city in Europe.
The city's origins are blurry and remain a source of debate among scholars. If the traditional founding date is 482 CE, archaeological data indicates a founding either during the XIth or XIIth century, with some researchers dating the founding as late as the IXth century. The name “Kyiv” is said to originate from Kyi, one its four legendary founders who originate from the Slavic tribe of Eastern Polans. Another account says Saint Andrews passed through the area in the Ist century and erected a cross, where a church was later built. All in all, Kyiv most likely existed as a commercial center as early as the Vth century as there were several Slavic settlements scattered in the area. The city itself was probably born when those settlements merged into one as time passed.
Kyiv was a tributary city of the Khazars until its capture by the Varangians in the mid IXth century. Under Varangian rule, it became the capital of the Kievan Rus’, becoming the first East Slavic state. The city prospered under the rules of Olga of Kiev, Vladimir the Great and Yaroslav the Wise, becoming the center of the Kievan Rus’ christianization and reached a population of 45 000 in 1000 CE.
In March 1169, Kyiv was sacked by Grand Prince Andrei Bohgolyubky and left iin ruins. Many artifacts, including the Theotokos of Vladimir icon were stolen. In 1203, Prince Rurik Rostislavich and his Kipchack allies captured and burned the city. Additional sackings followed in the 1230s and the Mongol invasion of 1240 put the final nail in Kyiv’s coffin and with it, the Kievan Rus’. The city, at that time, was one of the largest agglomerations in the world whose population exceeded 100 000 at the beginning of the XIIth century. Suffice to say, Kyiv’s destruction had a profound impact on the Eastern Slavic world.
Nevertheless, Kyiv was rebuilt and in the early 1320s Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas conquered the city after defeating the current ruler, Stanislas of Kiev. The Tatars, who also had a claim on the city, retaliated and from 1324 to 1325, Kyiv was under Lithuanian rule, but had to pay tribute to the Golden Horde. Finally, after the battle of Blue Waters in 1362, the city was entirely incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Kyiv once more prospered, only to be sacked by the Crimean Tatars in 1482 - like the good ol’ days of Bohgolyubky, Rotislavich and the Golden Horde.
The creation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1569 transferred the Lithuanian controlled lands of Kyiv and its surroundings to the Kingdom of Poland, and Kyiv became the capital of Kyiv Voivodeship. The Treaty of Hadiach of 1658 proposed to create the Grand Duchy of Rus’, but fierce opposition from Poland put an end to the negotiations.
The Treaty of Pereyaslav of 1654, led to an occupation of Kyiv by Russian troops and in 1667, following the Truce of Andrusovo, its incorporation into the Czardom of Russia. Enjoying a certain degree of autonomy, Kyiv became a primary center for Eastern Orthodoxy, with many pilgrims touring the city and the cradle of many of the empire’s most important religious figures - as well as an important Russification. However, it would take until the XIXth century for Kyiv to become an important commercial center.
With the Industrial Revolution, Kyiv became an important trade and importation center for the Russian Empire, exporting notably sugar and grain via railway and the Dnipro. In 1892, the first electric tram line of the empire (and third in the world) was installed. By 1900, the population reached 250 000 and with an extensive urbanization, Kyiv became the third most important agglomeration of the Russian Empire.
Kyiv was at the heart of the turmoil following the Russian Revolution of 1917. At first, the city became the capital of several successive Ukrainian states, then was caught in the crossfire of several conflicts. World War 1, where it was occupied by Germany from March to November 1918, the Polish-Soviet War of 1919-21 and the Russian Civil War where it was intermittently controlled by the Red and White Armies.
As the dust settled, Kyiv became part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, becoming a founding member of the Soviet Union. With the Soviet industrialization building up in the 1920s, Kyiv saw many movements of rural population migrating to its outskirts and transitioned from a religious and commercial center to a major industrial, technological and scientific center. However the Holodomor and Stalin’s Great Purge devastated the migrant population and almost deprived the city entirely of its intellectuals.
In 1934, Kyiv became the capital of the Ukrainian SSR and flourished again.
Kyiv considerably suffered during the Second World War and was subjected to brutal occupation by nazi Germany from 19 September 1941 to 6 November 1943. More than 600 000 Red Army soldiers were captured after the city’s capitulation. Most of them would never return alive. Shortly after the occupation started, a team of NKVD officers blew up most of the buildings on the main street as they were occupied by German military and civil authorities. In retaliation, the Germans rounded up all the local Jews they could find - nearly 34 000 - and massacred them at Babi Yar on 29 and 30 September 1941. In the following months, dozens of thousands were taken there. The total number of victims is estimated to be superior to 100 000.
Kyiv recovered after World War 2, becoming once more the third most important city of the Soviet Union. Despite its closeness with the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Kyiv remained largely unaffected by its explosion in 1986 as prevailing south winds blew most of the radioactive debris away.
During the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian parliament proclaimed the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine on 24 August 1991. The country experienced in the following years a catastrophic economic recession which was only stabilized with the introduction of the hryvnia. Of all the former nations of the collapsing Soviet block, Ukraine got the worst of it with corruption and poverty remaining largely present. In 2004-05, Kyiv was the theater of the largest post Soviet public demonstrations in support of the Orange Revolution. Then, from November 2013 to February 2014, its center was the primary location of the Euromaidan and the Revolution of Dignity which ousted pro Russian President Viktor Yakunovich and led to the restoration of the 2004 amendments of Ukraine’s constitution. On March 11 2016, 79 boulevards, streets, squares and alleys in Kyiv received new names as part of the implementation of the law on decommunization.
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv was attacked by Russian Ground Forces and airborne troops. The invaders were repelled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the outskirts of the city. Following the retreat of Russian troops in April 2022, Kyiv remains subjected to frequent missile and drone strikes.
Five ships have been named after the city of Kyiv :
- HIRMS Kiev, Novgorod-class river monitor coastal defense ship, later renamed Vitse Admiral Popov. In service from 1876 to 1903. Served in the Russo-Turkish war.
- SN Baku, Project 38 Leningrad-class destroyer leader. In service from 1939 to 1958. Originally laid down as Kiev, renamed Ordzhonikidze, Sergo Ordzhonikidze, and then finally Baku during the construction. Served in World War II.
- SN Kiev, Project 48, lead ship of her class. Construction was canceled shortly after launch. Completion at 48.9%. Expended as a target ship. Currently in the game.
- SN Kiev, Project 1123M Moskva-class helicopter carrier. Laid down in February 1968, construction was canceled shortly after. Her name was passed down to…
- … SN Kiev, Project 1143, lead ship of her class. Currently being treated in this concept.
Stats : As an “aircraft cruiser”, Kiev possesses a fairly large HP Pool (A), however her Aviation Stat is somewhat average (B) and Evasion low (C). Her firepower is mediocre (D) but is largely compensated by her Anti Aircraft stat (S). As she is equipped with anti-ship missiles and torpedoes, her Torpedo Stat is quite decent (B).
Personality : Kiev could be seen as a somewhat evil counterpart to Richelieu as she relishes in being revered and feared as a holy figure. Her religious beliefs have often put her at odds with her peers, even calling Kirov a hypocrite on the ideological plan. Due to this, Kiev is pretty much a black sheep within the Northern Parliament faction.
Acquisition : Have you come to pay your respects ? Oh, my mistake. I thought you were another pilgrim. Very well. I am Kiev, aircraft cruiser of the Northern Parliament. Use me wisely, Kommandyr.
Secretary (Idle 1) : There are two ways to defeat an enemy : bring them to the negotiation table and negotiate a temporary peace or kill enough of them so their fighting forces and spirit are broken that they may never take arms against you ever again.
Secretary (Idle 2) : Surprised to see piety in a woman such as me ? I do not blame you. I take no interest in Rossiya’s and Gangut’s little games.
Secretary (Idle 3) : Soyuz and her sisters represent the tenets of the Parliament. Soyuz is the leader, a personification of the Motherland if you will. Rossiya represents its military might, the power projection. Belorussiya is the tactician, the one moving the pieces on the battlefield, be it from the rear or the front. As of Ukraina… No, I've said too much.
Return from mission : Fly, my little messengers. Spread the word of our victory.
MVP : Fufufu… You have entertained me long enough. Now die.
Low HP : My faith remains intact !
Defeated : Heaven can wait, there’s much more to be done.
Touch : Speak your mind.
Special touch : Do you wish to be burned ?
Affinity (Disappointed) : On your knees and repent, sinner.
Affinity (Stranger) : Let’s take a moment to break the ice, and make each other’s intentions known. My wish is to destroy the enemies of my people. What about yours ?
Affinity (Friendly) : There is nothing wrong with compassion, there is simply a time for it and now is not such a time. You cannot command respect if your enemies aren’t afraid of you.
Affinity (Like) : Soyuz is a great leader - probably the best the Parliament could ever ask for in these troubled times - that is undeniable. But in the end, she’s still chasing the past. Everything she’s fighting for is doomed to collapse like a house of cards. When that day comes, I’ll be there to whisper in her ear "I told you so".
Affinity (Love) : Molodets ! Frankly, I have no words to describe how good you are. Forming an alliance where many of its members would rip each other’s throats under normal circumstances, it is truly a miracle. Perhaps you are indeed the prophet this Iris Saint talks about.
Oath : You are one of a kind for quelling the tempest within my heart. Until death do us part ? I will snatch you from the Devil’s claws if you die.
Sortie with Kiev (Project 48) : Close your eyes, child. I would not like you to see the hell I’m about to unleash.
Sortie with Kirov (CA) : Oh, I’m sure you got your coffee machine from the sweat of your brow, like a good proletarian.
Sortie with Sovetsky Soyuz : Just as ice melts and becomes water, summer succeeds to winter, one day a smile will adorn this pretty face… be it for a short time.
Sortie with Sovetskaya Belorussiya : Your ferocity is only matched by your lack of modesty.
Sortie with Richelieu : Our methods may differ, but we both seek the same thing, Cardinal.
Sortie with Saint Louis : [Grins] Amen.
Sortie with Implacable : What are you ? A repenting demon or a devoted servant of God ? Despite your depraved look, I can tell that your faith is true.
Sortie with SN Ulyanovsk (Noblesse311) : You don’t smell of hypocrisy like Soyuz and her clique, I’ll give you that.
Sortie with the Strike Cruiser : Well, they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Still, what a strange sight.
Design : Kiev is depicted as a woman in her late twenties with white frizzy hair reaching down beneath her hips and sidelocks framing her face. Golden eyes complement her fair features. She wears on her head a spiked crown with a trident surrounded by crops. A transparent veil with small crosses on the lower part reaches down her shoulders and partially covers her hair. Kiev’s outfit consists of a black dress with on top a white double breasted longcoat maintained by several belts. She wears on her back a cape adorned with two intersecting golden bands with a byzantine cross in the middle. A pair of laced black boots complete her attire.
Kiev’s rigging is of modest size as it follows her official designation by the Soviet Union - aircraft carrying cruiser. It takes the form of a two headed serpent whose heads mimic the shape of her bow - ornament included. The right head carries one of the AK-726 and four of the eight Sandbox canisters, the left one the Goblet launchers and the other four Sandbox canisters. Two runways mounted on mechanical arms like wings and two pairs of AK-630s on the sides of the heads round up the rigging’s armament. Finally, Kiev’s rigging has chains wrapped around its body - a little reminder from Soyuz that she owns her.
Similarly to Soyuz and other NP capital ships, Kiev can manipulate an element. In her case, it's fire, which she uses to incinerate her enemies, along with the incendiary ordnance she deploys in combat.