Fully laden, the vessels drew 5.35 metres (17.6 ft) of water and had a displacement of 2,935 tonnes (2,889 long tons).

Their three 1,800-horsepower (1,300 kW) 10-cylinder 13D100 two-stroke opposed-piston diesel engines were coupled to generators that powered electric propulsion motors driving two propellers in the stern and a third one in the bow.

Project 97 icebreakers were capable of breaking 70 to 75 centimetres (28 to 30 in) thick snow-covered ice at very slow but continuous speed.

The ship was named Dobrynya Nikitich after the legendary hero of Russian folklore and joined the 18th brigade of support vessels in the Soviet Navy Red Banner Northern Fleet.

[2] Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Dobrynya Nikitich was passed over to the Russian Navy on 26 July 1992.