Russian procurement struggled with industry and distant authority

Russian planners knew which capabilities they wanted, yet the ships purchased did not consistently deliver them. Some designs exceeded domestic construction capacity, while others could be built only in insufficient numbers. Funding also had to cover bases alongside the desired ships. Procurement suffered from corruption and money directed away from operational needs. The reasons for that recurring corruption remain uncertain. One suggested explanation is that Russia's widely dispersed armed forces operated far from central authority, allowing commanders to treat their responsibilities as personal fiefdoms.