Russia is relying on a small group of ageing ships while it delays a new status combatant. Pyotr Velikiy was laid down in 1986 and launched in 1989, and the upgrade discussed since 2022 remains uncertain. At the time of the video, Admiral Nakhimov is described as conducting sea trials after refit and modernisation. Admiral Kuznetsov is another old hull whose accidents and repair history make continued reliance increasingly difficult. The Slava-class cruisers are also late-Soviet designs, and the loss of one ship has reduced an already small group. Global deployments by these vessels can still attract attention and carry diplomatic weight. Their age makes further modernisation increasingly difficult, although the Kirovs' size gives more room to work than the smaller ships offer.
Notable Point · 34:49-36:13
Ageing capital ships carry Russia's status burden
Pyotr Velikiy, Admiral Nakhimov, Admiral Kuznetsov, and the remaining Slava-class cruisers are old hulls being asked to preserve Russia's visible great-power presence.