Christian Baghai
2 min readAug 11, 2023

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First of all, you claim that Russia is producing more weapons and bombs than the entire western world, but you do not provide any evidence or source for this statement. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia ranked fourth in the world in terms of military expenditure in 2020, behind the United States, China, and India. Moreover, Russia's share of global arms exports decreased from 20% in 2011–15 to 18% in 2016–20, while the United States increased its share from 33% to 37% in the same period. Therefore, it is not clear how you arrived at the conclusion that Russia is outproducing the western world in terms of weapons and bombs.

Secondly, you assert that the Russian strategic submarine fleet is modernized and capable of meeting the country's needs, but you do not specify what those needs are or how they are met by the current fleet. According to the article, Russia's submarine fleet is facing a serious crisis due to aging equipment, lack of funding, and geopolitical challenges. The article cites various sources, such as official reports, academic studies, news articles, and expert opinions, to support its analysis. For example, it mentions that Russia has only one operational aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, which suffered a fire in 2019 that killed two sailors and damaged its propulsion system. It also notes that Russia's only nuclear-powered icebreaker, the Arktika, has been plagued by technical problems and delays since its launch in 2016. Furthermore, it argues that Russia's submarine fleet is vulnerable to detection and attack by NATO forces, especially in the Baltic and Black Seas. Therefore, it is not clear how you can claim that the Russian submarine fleet is modernized and capable without addressing these issues.

Finally, you imply that Russia has never set a goal to dominate the world oceans, but you do not provide any historical or geopolitical context for this statement. According to the article, Russia has a long history of naval expansionism and ambition dating back to the tsarist era. The article traces the development and decline of Russia's naval capabilities from the Cold War era to the present day. It also analyzes the strategic implications of Russia's naval forces for its regional and global ambitions. For example, it discusses how Russia uses its submarine fleet to project power and influence in areas such as the Arctic, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific. It also examines how Russia uses its naval forces to challenge and deter NATO allies and partners in Europe and elsewhere. Therefore, it is not clear how you can claim that Russia has never wanted to dominate the world oceans without acknowledging this history and reality.

I respect your opinion and appreciate your feedback on the article. However, I think your comment is based on some factual errors and logical fallacies that need to be corrected. I hope you will reconsider your position and engage with the article more critically and objectively. Thank you for reading.

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Christian Baghai
Christian Baghai

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