The published maximum speeds of 32 knots for Kiev and 28 knots for Invincible are questionable given their installed power and hull forms, though no verified replacement figures are supplied. Kiev's turbo-pressurized boilers appear to have performed better than those associated with Kuznetsov when properly maintained. One possible explanation is that most Kiev-class service occurred before the Soviet collapse, avoiding some of the later maintenance failures experienced by Kuznetsov. Steam boilers can be reliable, but their condition depends on sustained care, and turbo-pressurized machinery demands particular attention. Comparing service records requires separating machinery design from the circumstances in which it was operated.
Notable Point · 1:16:02-1:18:17
Published carrier speeds and boiler reliability need context
Kiev's apparently better boiler record may partly reflect Soviet-era maintenance conditions, while the stated maximum speeds of both carrier classes invite scepticism.