Russia can not make them because Antonov has the expertise and patients. Russia has some aircraft manufacturers capable of making transports, Ilyushin to name one, but the are not as good as Antonov with the exception of the Il-76..Which goes to show more proof why communism fails. It can't support itself. Obviously, Russia can't afford to make its own Antonovs. The second obvious fact is that Russia(Putin) cant afford to buy them, either.
Woody
Oh and Russia could afford to buy them with all the money they are making selling gas to Europe, they just prefer to control their sources just like we do. The European A400 is better then most transport planes made today falling between the C-17 and latest models of the C-130. Head and shoulder above the AN-12 and Russia could probably buy a license to produce it. They could also easily buy a license to produce the Chinese Y-20.