Russia: Check out this icebreaker's cutting-edge technology

What is set to be Russia's most powerful and advanced icebreaker was being put through its paces at the country's most high-tech ice pool in St. Petersburg, Wednesday. A model of what will one day be the leader ship, breaking the ice for those behind it, was placed in an ice tank at the Krylov State Research Centre. When finished, the vessel will weigh 70,500 tonnes, stretch over 200m (656.1 feet), and be able to reach a speed of 24 knots. The vessel will also be equipped with two helipads and an expansive hangar. Engineers will now test the model to verify the design's interaction with ice, pushing the vessel to its maximum capacity. The new tank can simulate Arctic sea conditions to a high degree of accuracy in both winter and spring, when ice floes reach up to 4 metres (13.1 feet) in thickness. It can also create two different types of ice, substantially increasing the range of experiments possible, and allowing for the most accurate marine engineering performance.