The admirals in charge of the Russian navy believe they have the go-ahead from the government to create a major aircraft carrier force. A new class of carrier is being designed, based on the experience with the 65,000 Kuznetzov. Construction is to begin in 4-5 years, and the admirals see a force of 5-6 carriers in service over the next half century.
Russia is a land power. They can't afford to even be a land power right now let alone trying to be both a land and sea power. What on earth do the admirals and Kremlin expect to do with their carriers when they don't have enough money to pay for a decent army capable of holding their long southern and eastern frontiers?
And remember that carriers are a platform-centric weapon. I worry about the decreasing utility of our big carriers over the next several decades as we will face networked enemies. And we are in the lead in building such a network that the Russians conceivably might have to face if they get carried away with their rhetoric of the NATO threat.
Sheesh, the Russians might as well build ships of the line for all the good big aircraft carriers will do them.
