Q&A · 1:52:22-1:52:56

Why a long-idle cruiser cannot quickly rebuild a fleet

A decades-old unfinished cruiser in Ukraine was too old and too poorly maintained to offer Russia a practical answer to fleet losses and aging sister ships.

Question

Would Russia try to acquire and complete Ukraine's long-idle cruiser as its related ships are lost or retired?

Short answer

Probably not; the hull is too old and neglected, and Russia's deeper problem is the condition of its shipbuilding industry.

Notes

The question proposes acquiring a long-incomplete Ukrainian cruiser as Russia loses or retires related ships. The hull had sat unfinished for too long with little or no maintenance. Completing an old design would not repair the deeper industrial problem. The disordered condition of Russian shipbuilding and its prospects for recovery are the strategically important questions.