On the southern outskirts of Derbent, right on the shores of the Caspian Sea, there is a unique exhibit of military and technical history: the Lun ekranoplan. This vehicle, which combines the features of an airplane and a ship, has long been a landmark of the region and attracts travelers from all over the country with its futuristic appearance and grandiose size.

What is the Lun?

The vehicle uses the principle of a dynamic air cushion: at a low altitude above the water surface, increased pressure is created under the wing, providing additional lift. Thanks to this, the ekranoplan can reach a cruising speed of about 500 km/h, which is unattainable for conventional vessels.

Interesting facts

Western intelligence agencies dubbed the ekranoplan the "Caspian Monster," but this nickname actually referred to its predecessor, the 92-meter-long experimental mock-up ship (KM), which sank in 1980. The Americans mistakenly interpreted the abbreviation "KM" as "Caspian Monster," but it actually stood for "Mock-up Ship." The ekranoplan was named "Lun" after the bird of prey. In addition, it could take off and land in waves up to 2.5 meters and remained undetected by radar, allowing it to approach carrier groups undetected.

How to get to the attraction?

The ekranoplan is located on the beach near the village of Arablyar, south of Derbent, on the territory of the future Patriot Park.

Navigation coordinates: 41.940173, 48.378484.

Taxi from Derbent – the road will take 20-40 minutes.
Private car – on the highway R217 in the southern direction.
Take the train to the 2429 km (Avadan) station (30 minutes), then walk for more than an hour.

Lun is not just a museum exhibit, but a symbol of the engineering ingenuity and technological breakthrough of its time. Even today, this unique missile carrier, which has no equal in the world, remains one of the most impressive testaments to the power of the Soviet design school and is remembered by everyone who sees it in person.