Watch: Nuclear-powered Russian icebreaker tears open bow after collision

Dramatic footage has emerged showing a Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker as it collided with a cargo ship in the Kara Sea.

The icebreaker vessel 50 Years of Victory crashed into a Russian cargo vessel, tearing a hole in its bow.

Reportedly, 50 Years of Victory had been dispatched to rescue the bulk carrier Yamal Krechet from the ice but ended up colliding with her.

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The incident left a large hole on 50 Years of Victory's left side exposing her inside.

The footage taken from the icebreaker's point of view showed her approaching the cargo vessel diagonally from the port side during the night. After colliding, both ships then appear to stop and separate from each other.  

Images of the aftermath reveal the scope of the damage inflicted although it is not known how much damage there was to the cargo vessel. 

The icebreaker is operated by Atomflot, which provides and maintains nuclear icebreakers and auxiliary fleet vessels for Russia.

Due to the height of the hole on the ship's side, the nuclear-powered icebreaker did not appear to be at risk of sinking, and her current overall state is unknown.