The structure inherited and repeatedly revised Imperial Russian and Soviet practice. Captain first, second, and third class plus captain lieutenant create a ship full of officers who may all be introduced as captains even though only one commands it. The lower qualifiers separate grades that range well below the authority English speakers associate with captain. NATO equivalence, not the first word of the title, is essential when comparing their actual authority with Royal Navy or American grades.
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Why the Russian Navy has so many captains
Four captain grades and several lieutenant grades make Russian titles sound more senior than their foreign equivalents.