Russia’s modernization program for its fishing fleet is experiencing more setbacks amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

A number of foreign companies that supplied equipment for the new vessels under construction in Russian shipyards are refusing to send specialists needed to complete installation.

"We are in trouble, unfortunately," said Vasily Sokolov, deputy head of Russia’s federal fishery agency, Rosrybolovstvo, at a meeting on the implementation of the first stage of the investment quota program, held in the Federation Council, upper house of the Russian parliament.