These ships were fitted as flagships with improved command, control and communications facilities.

These are dedicated ASW ships with significant anti-aircraft capability including both SA-N-3 and SA-N-4 surface-to-air missiles.

The gas turbine engine was chosen instead of steam for greater efficiency and quietness, and because the main Soviet gas turbine plant had a long association with the Nikolayev shipyards.

Construction of the ship began on 22 November 1974 at the 61 Communards shipyard in Nikolaev.

From 24 February to 3 July 1979, as part of a detachment of ships of the aircraft carrier Minsk and Petropavlovsk made the transition from Sevastopol around Africa to Vladivostok, with the fulfillment of tasks combat service and business calls to Luanda, Maputo and Port Louis.