Video: Military hovercraft lands on Russian beach

Startled beachgoers watch as 550 tonne vessel capable of transporting 400 troops lands in their midst

Holidaymakers near Kaliningrad in Russia, were taken aback when a giant military hovercraft pulled up on the beach.

Holidaymakers near the Russian port city of Kaliningrad were startled yesterday when a giant military hovercraft landed in their midst on a beach in Mechnikovo.

Video of the incident posted on the internet shows beachgoers marveling at the sight of the Zubr-class hovercraft as it lands on the beach.

Purported to be the world’s largest vessel in its class the Zubr (Bison) vessel weighs some 550 tonnes, carries sophisticated weapons systems and is capable of carrying tanks and up to 400 troops.

Also in the service of the Greek navy, it was the first Russian-build ship to be sold to a Nato country.

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Russian news website vz.ru quoted an official at the Russian defence ministry as saying the vessel was participating in maneuvers on a government-owned beach.

Éanna Ó Caollaí

Éanna Ó Caollaí

Iriseoir agus Eagarthóir Gaeilge An Irish Times. Éanna Ó Caollaí is The Irish Times' Irish Language Editor, editor of The Irish Times Student Hub, and Education Supplements editor.