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

[2] The first of two Project 97K icebreakers was laid down at Admiralty Shipyard in Leningrad on 10 March 1965, launched on 30 June 1965, and delivered on 28 December 1965.

[2] The ship was named Ilya Muromets after the Russian folk hero and joined the Soviet Navy Red Banner Pacific Fleet.