Why do Russian nuclear-powered ships receive closer maintenance oversight?
Short answerNuclear propulsion brings additional organizations and inspectors into the maintenance chain, making neglect or diversion of funds harder to conceal than on conventional ships.
NotesThe answer argues that nuclear ships fall under additional organizations that make neglect and diversion of maintenance funds harder to conceal. That helps explain why a vessel such as Petr Velikiy could receive work that conventional flagships did not. The difference is institutional as well as financial: more authorities are watching the nuclear fleet.