It comes from a confluence of two factors. First is the VMF obsession with cruise missiles. To be specific, one system; the Kalibr. It goes on the Buyan-M light-corvettes, depriving them of any anti-submarine assets, and reducing them to a symbolic air defense asset (turning them into Soviet-style small missile ships rather then real light corvettes). It was planned for the project 20385 corvette. And while the 20386 doesn't plan for it currently, this may be a budget constraint. It's obviously going on the project 22350 frigates, and so the destroyer is naturally first and foremost a carrier of this weapon system. And as a larger ship, they want it to carry a lot of them. On top of that, there is a requirement for the new destroyer to carry not only theater SAMs (S-400F type system), but also ASAT and BMD. In other words, the S-500. And given not only the large size of that system, but the fact that it needs to coexist with traditional air defense, you end up with a monstrosity that has to carry over a hundred SAMs.
Which leaves a big question about it's anti-submarine capabilities, and unmanned systems both aerial and submersile. Anyways, it looks like a rather unrealistic project, and seriously hope it gets scrapped in favor of a regular destroyer. Something in the 8000 tonns area.
The worst thing is that if this expensive nuclear battlecruiser goes forward, it will likely mean no money for any real carriers. 12 are supposedly planned, which is extremely optimistic, and the price tag, as well as build time, are likely to be astronomical. They would be better off tossing that program, and going for the 21956 destroyer, with some changes, and a helicopter carrier. Basically a Mistralski, with destroyer escorts.
