It is expected back in dry dock after the Syria deployment because its propulsion system needs to be replaced. Whenever it went to sea over the years, the Admiral Kuznetsov was prone to accidents. Planes launched from the Admiral Kuznetsov wobble aloft from a sort of ski jump, forcing them to take off without a full load. As a precaution, the British defense secretary, Michael Fallon, announced that the Royal Navy would shadow the Admiral Kuznetsov battle group, and other NATO nations dispatched ships as well. Although the situation is not exactly parallel to the naval rivalry of the Cold War, Mr. Nordenman acknowledged the potential for conflict.

Source: New York Times October 21, 2016 22:07 UTC