The cruiser would not be just repaired but reconstructed and upgraded according to the modern requirements, said the Russian navy commander Vladimir Kuroyedov to Interfax. The design work for reconstruction should be ready in 2006 and then the ship would undergo upgrade and reconstruction, added Kuroyedov.

According to Interfax sources, Kuroyedov probably meant the old radio-electronic equipment, which is being dismantled at the moment. The new computerised equipment should be installed instead. Besides, the Granit (Shipwwreck) missile system will be changed for a newer system. The new system is ready for installation at the Russian Oskar-II nuclear submarines, the same will be installed at the cruiser, which is expecting nuclear fuel reloading at the Sevmash plant now.

The Russian Heavy Missile Cruise Ship, Project 1144.2 Kirov Class was built by the Baltic Shipyard in Saint Petersburg. The Kirov Class provides the capability to engage large surface ships and to defend the fleet against air and submarine attack. Four cruisers were built but only Admiral Nakhimov (commissioned in 1988) and Pyotr Velikhiy (commissioned in 1995) remain active.