The legendary Soviet warship Minsk [Минск] has lived many lives. Once a powerful Kiev-class aircraft carrier cruiser of the USSR in the 1970s, it was later sold for scrap in the 1990s — but the deal collapsed when Korean buyers rejected it over environmental concerns. Instead, it was bought by a Chinese state-owned company, restored, and reborn as Minsk World, a military theme park in Shenzhen.
When Minsk World eventually closed, the ship was towed to Nantong, near Shanghai, where it became an abandoned icon and a favorite spot for urban explorers. In 2024, disaster struck when the ship caught fire, and many thought the Minsk’s story was finally over.
But against the odds, the Minsk is back once more. Today it is being renovated into a new military theme park, giving this historic warship yet another chapter.
In the second half of this video, stick around for a quiz on the military equipment that is being displayed in the new park. Test your knowledge and see how much you really know about Soviet and Chinese naval history.
If you enjoy urban exploration, Cold War history, or forgotten places brought back to life — this update on the Minsk is for you.