A nuclear-powered icebreaker lost control and slammed into a cargo ship it had been sent to rescue.

The Russian vessel, Fifty Years of Victory, was en route to assist the bulk carrier Yamal Krechet, which had become trapped in thick ice in the Kara Sea in the Arctic.

However, as the icebreaker approached the stranded ship, it veered off course and was unable to correct its trajectory.

Shocking onboard footage captures the moment Fifty Years of Victory smashed directly into the side of Yamal Krechet.

Designed to break through ice up to 10ft thick, the massive icebreaker struck the cargo ship’s hull, causing it to lurch violently before reversing away following the nighttime impact.

Both ships sustained hull damage in the incident, which is now expected to prompt a criminal investigation.

Despite the force of the collision, Russian officials claimed there was no risk to the icebreaker’s nuclear reactor or critical support systems.

Initial reports failed to mention the collision, only noting that the icebreaker had suffered damage while cutting through ice.

RosAtomflot, the organisation overseeing Russia’s nuclear icebreaker fleet, later confirmed the incident.

They said: 'The Fifty Years of Victory sustained damage to its port side edge plating during nighttime icebreaking operations on January 26 in the harsh Arctic conditions of the Kara Sea. No injuries were reported, and the vessel remains fully seaworthy. There is no threat to its life support systems or nuclear reactor.'

A source further added that the icebreaker continues to operate normally along the Northern Sea Route.

Yamal Krechet, a general cargo ship built in 1999, was stranded in Arctic ice before the accident.

Fifty Years of Victory, launched in 2007, is powered by two OK-900A nuclear reactors, each generating 171 MW of thermal power.

These reactors drive turbines that produce 54 MW of energy to power the ship’s three massive propellers, allowing it to navigate extreme ice conditions.

While investigations continue, the incident raises concerns over the use of nuclear-powered vessels in the unpredictable Arctic environment.