The ship did not participate in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78, and remained in the Baltic Sea until 1879–80, when she made another cruise to the Pacific.

[2] Kniaz Pozharsky was fitted with a double bottom and was considered to be a steady gun platform and a good sea boat.

The engine produced 2,835 indicated horsepower (2,114 kW) during sea trials which gave the ship a maximum speed around 11.7 knots (21.7 km/h; 13.5 mph).

Kniaz Pozharsky carried a maximum of 600 long tons (610 t) of coal which gave her an economical range of 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi).

In an attempt to provide axial fire, the sides of the hull at the upper deck level were cut away in front of and behind the battery.

While providing better coverage than the traditional broadside layout, this still left a considerable area on which no gun could bear.

About 1873 Kniaz Pozharsky became the first Russian armored ship to deploy to the Pacific, but returned to the Baltic Fleet in 1875.

Kniaz Pozharsky served as the flagship during the fleet maneuvers of 1884 and she was reviewed by Tsar Alexander III of Russia.

She was struck from the Navy List on 14 April 1911 and probably scrapped shortly afterward because the elderly monitor Lava was renamed as Blokshiv No.