Soviet intelligence agencies actively encouraged the circulation of rumours about the type, which were reprinted by several Western journals including Jane's Fighting Ships.

The main point of agreement between different descriptions was that the type carried guided missiles, mounted in distinctive domed turrets, in addition to a conventional heavy gun armament.

A Soviet 'fleet recognition manual' planted in the West seemed to confirm the existence and general features of the K-1000 Heavy Fleet Unit Sovetskaya Byelorussia, and that she was in commission from 10 November 1953.

The accompanying drawings, showing two missile domes, six heavy guns and a cluster of lighter armament, gave a further veneer of accuracy to the document.

The United States Navy considered creating a 'missile battleship' out of the unfinished USS Kentucky, which would have had some similarities to the fictional K-1000 class; however, this plan never went ahead.