Editing Lun-class ekranoplan (section)

==2020 towing operation==
[[File:An artist's concept of a Soviet wing-in-ground effect vehicle.jpg|thumb|Artist's concept of a ''Lun''-class ekranoplan in flight]]

On 31 July 2020, the completed MD-160 ''Lun''-class ekranoplan was towed out of the naval base in Kaspiysk, with the intention of being eventually put on public display in [[Derbent|Derbent, Dagestan]], at the planned [[Patriot Park]], a combination museum and theme park that will display Soviet and Russian military equipment.<ref name=cnnRos/><ref name="Cenciotti2020">{{cite news |last1=Cenciotti |first1=David |date=10 August 2020 |title=Take A Look At These Incredible Shots Of The Russia's Sole Completed ''Lun''-Class Ekranoplan |work=The Aviationist |url=https://theaviationist.com/2020/08/10/take-a-look-at-these-incredible-shots-of-the-russias-sole-completed-lun-class-ekranoplan/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006205142/https://theaviationist.com/2020/08/10/take-a-look-at-these-incredible-shots-of-the-russias-sole-completed-lun-class-ekranoplan/ |archive-date=6 October 2020 }}</ref> The towing operation involved the use of rubber pontoons, three tugboats and two escort vessels, and would have covered approximately {{convert|62|miles|km|0|order=flip|abbr=in}} had it been completed.<ref name="cnnRos">{{cite news |last1=Ros |first1=Miquel |title=The 'Caspian Sea Monster' rises from the grave |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/caspian-sea-monster-ekranoplan/index.html |access-date=23 October 2020 |website=CNN |date=22 October 2020 |archive-date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023012117/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/caspian-sea-monster-ekranoplan/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, during the tow the ekranoplan became stuck just offshore of a sandy beach, short of the intended destination.

The team managing the towing operation was unable to free the massive vehicle, so the ekranoplan was secured and remained beached in the [[surf zone]] while plans were drawn up on how to continue the move to Patriot Park.  In the meantime, the unusual craft began attracting attention from the media, onlookers, and trespassing [[urban exploration|"urban explorers"]], even before the park was built.<ref name="cnnRos" /><ref name=urbanEx>{{cite web |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/photographer-sneaks-inside-the-legendary-soviet-ekranoplan/30777774.html |title=Belly Of The Beast: Illicit Photos From Inside The Soviet Ekranoplan |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=11 August 2020 |last=Chapple |first=Amos |access-date=27 July 2021 |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718055155/https://www.rferl.org/a/photographer-sneaks-inside-the-legendary-soviet-ekranoplan/30777774.html |url-status=live }}</ref>  One report published in August 2020 stated that the hull, exposed to the waves in the surf zone, was taking on water.<ref name=forbes>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hisutton/2020/08/11/russian-navys-mighty-ekranoplan-may-have-been-wrecked/ |title=Russian Navy's Mighty 'Ekranoplan' May Have Been Wrecked |last=Sutton |first=H. I. |work=Forbes |date=11 August 2020 |access-date=27 July 2021 |archive-date=10 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210233727/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hisutton/2020/08/11/russian-navys-mighty-ekranoplan-may-have-been-wrecked/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Moving the craft to dry land beyond the surf zone would eliminate the possibility that increased [[wave action]] during storms could damage the hull further.  

In December 2020 a successful recovery operation resulted in the ekranoplan being hauled out of the water, nose-first, with the tail ending up about {{cvt|20|-|30|m|ft|round=5}} from the sea, as seen from satellite imagery.<ref name=yandex>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ekranoplan+Lun/@41.9406377,48.3783425,399m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x4049cf8d1ad410bd:0x22d3bb2247ea9971!8m2!3d41.9406711!4d48.3789282?shorturl=1 |title=Satellite view of beached ''Lun'' ekranoplan |via=Google Maps |access-date=23 April 2022 |archive-date=23 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423171554/https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ekranoplan+Lun/@41.9406377,48.3783425,399m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x4049cf8d1ad410bd:0x22d3bb2247ea9971!8m2!3d41.9406711!4d48.3789282?shorturl=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The ekranoplan was towed ashore on 30 December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ros |first=Miquel |title=The 'Caspian Sea Monster' rises from the grave |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/caspian-sea-monster-ekranoplan/index.html |access-date=15 January 2022 |website=CNN |date=22 October 2020 |language=en |archive-date=3 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103031847/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/caspian-sea-monster-ekranoplan/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>