"you do know the only reason to have these vessels is to project massive military force, ie power, well beyond the shores of the homeland."
Well that might be a nice topic at the next meeting of the Trotskyite wing of IS but actually what we do know is that if Russia joined the civilised world a huge part of the military deterrent of NATO would not be necessary. Thankfully at the moment it's all in place in case Russia decides to annex a few extra countries after Ukraine. Finland and Sweden have both seen that one coming.
One factor is absolutely certain, the only thing Putin understands is force. He just doesn't have enough of it to get any further in Ukraine but will sacrifice 1000 dead and wounded every day just to stay in power.
