What You Need to Know: Western sanctions are straining Russia’s military-industrial complex, as demonstrated by the prolonged refit of the Admiral Nakhimov, a Kirov-class nuclear-powered battlecruiser.

-Initially scheduled for sea trials in 2018, the project has missed multiple deadlines, with costs estimated between $2 billion and $5 billion.

-This refurbishment has drained resources, hampering Russia's ability to maintain or build modern warships. While the Kremlin sees the project as a matter of national pride, experts argue the ship’s Cold War-era design is ill-suited for 21st-century warfare.

-Western observers see value in Russia continuing the project, as it diverts resources from more relevant naval advancements.

It has repeatedly been questioned whether the sanctions imposed on Russia following its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 have had any impact on its war effort. It is very much true that Russia is now depending on North Korea to bolster its forces, and has relied on Iranian-made drones.

But there is now another sign that the sanctions are taking their toll on the Kremlin. The Russian Navy's largest warship, the Project 1144 Orlan Kirov-class nuclear-powered battlecruiser Admiral Nakhimov has been undergoing a major restoration, one described as a "mega project" and it has been unable to meet any planned deadlines.

The warship........

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