Originally Posted by Rochard

People don't seem to understand the term "blue water navy". This means that their Navy can operate anywhere in the world at sea. You can't just sent a warship around the world; It needs to be resupplied at friendly ports, etc. The only countries that have blue water Navys are the US, UK, and the French.

In other words, Russia might have the ability to destroy an aircraft carrier, but this assumes that it would be able to find it and engage it without being taken out long in advance.