And yet, the Russians continue to pour massive amounts into attempting to keep the Kuznetsov afloat.==
Kuznetsov is more like testing ship. They continue to upgrade it with new staff to try them in the real life. And their spending maybe 1% of what US spends on those carriers.
—”Kuznetsov is more like testing ship.”
I doubt they planned it that way?
“She was originally commissioned in the Soviet Navy, and was intended to be the lead ship of the two-ship Admiral Kuznetsov class. However, its sister ship Varyag was still incomplete when the Soviet Union disbanded in 1991.[8]”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_aircraft_carrier_Admiral_Kuznetsov
The Kuznetsov is the only carrier that has a seagoing escort.
A most unusual test bed.