Sanctions put a crimp in Russia’s naval plans

Russia’s ambitious plan to revamp its navy, highlighted last week in a visit by President Vladimir Putin to the Kaliningrad exclave on the Baltic Sea, faces new hurdles in the form of economic sanctions imposed for Moscow’s interference in Ukraine.

The measures are blocking import of critical parts for warships, at the same time an economic recession has lightened the nation’s coffers.

“It’s a case of there are aspirations there. Delivering on it may be difficult,” said Nick Childs, a naval expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.

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