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Significance

It provides access to the North Atlantic and beyond, as well as the strategically important Arctic Ocean and the Northern Sea Route. The fleet plays a key role in projecting Russia’s maritime power and provides the bulk of its sea-based nuclear deterrent force. However, the slow pace of naval modernisation means that the fleet remains dependent on Soviet-era vessels.

Impacts

The Russian Navy will continue to rely on ageing Soviet-era vessels and will be supported by an even older logistics support fleet.

The Black Sea Fleet will retain the ability to strike Ukrainian land targets with sea-launched missiles.

Ageing submarines and surface vessels will increase the possibility of high-profile accidents, which would undermine the navy’s prestige.

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