In early 1918, the destroyer assisted in the consolidation of Soviet control over Crimea, fighting against Crimean Tatar forces at Yalta and Alushta.

After the German-Ukrainian invasion of Crimea, she was withdrawn to Novorossiysk and scuttled there in June to avoid capture by German forces.

Gadzhibey carried enough fuel oil to give her a range of 1,450 nautical miles (2,690 km; 1,670 mi) at 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph).

Among these was Gadzhibey, an alternate name for the Battle of Tendra, commemorating Ushakov's victory there during the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792.

"[9] Following the October Revolution, her crew sided with the Bolsheviks and shot all of their officers, including Captain 2nd rank V. Pyshnov, at the Malakhov Kurgan[10] on 28 December [O.S.

Assisted by her sisters Kerch and Fidonisy, a shore bombardment from all three destroyers enabled the wresting of the city from the Crimean Tatars, which was followed by executions of the latter by sailors and Red Guards.

[15] Transferred from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk on 29 April 1918 after Germany issued an ultimatum on 25 April to the Soviet government demanding the handover of the Black Sea Fleet, she was scuttled there in Tsemes Bay at a depth of 32–38 meters (105–125 ft) on 18 June by the decision of the Soviet government to avoid capture by the former.

On 4 January 1929 she was towed to Nikolayev for reconditioning, and in 1930 was transferred to Rudmetalltorg for scrapping as extensive damage to her hull made repair impractical.