On Mon, 11 Dec 2017 08:52:16 -0500, "Jim Wilkins"
wrote:

wrote in message
.. .
...
I've always thought that memories of the world encompassing empire
was, perhaps, their worst shortcoming.

--
Cheers,

Schweik

That may be a more troubling issue for Russia. While their people can
be as capable as anyone they mostly demonstrated their abilities as
overseas exiles; the nation has a long history of feeling inferior.
The USSR fell back on the respect of fear after failing to inspire
love:
https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/...reatness-19116

-jsw

Lets face it, Russia was inferior to Europe for a very long period.
Peter the Great, who reigned from 1682 - 1725 (part of the time
jointly with his brother) inherited a feudal country which had no
access to the sea.

What appears to be the very first Russian built, ocean going ship was
the frigate Shtandart, the first ship of Russia's Baltic fleet. Her
keel was laid on April 24, 1703

In contrast the Spanish armada invaded England with a fleet of around
130 vessels, in 1588. And was defeated by and English fleet (and the
weather) of approximately 100 vessels.
--
Cheers,

Schweik