Let us ignore the fact that similar ships built in Spain and Italy offer more capabilities. Let's ignore the fact that the "Mistral" class is virtually defenseless and requires a fleet of escorts that Russia simply does not have, without which these ships quickly become underwater war monuments. Let's ignore the fact that a reduced size mock-up of a similar Russian designed Helicopter Landing Ship is sitting inside the Nevskyy Ship Design Bureau waiting to be built. Why does Russia need these ships? Seems like some Government Ministers are jealous of Abramovich's massive yachts and decided to buy some for themselves using Russian taxpayer's money. There is no other reason to explain this nonsense. I have read a million times from Russian Government bureaucrats how high the "comfort" level of the ship is, and not a single sentence about how defenseless it is. If there was logic and reason in the Defense Ministry they would buy convertible RO-RO Cargo Ships, and convert them as needed to Helicopter Platform ships or Vehicle Transports, and save a Billion Euros in costs.