They were built in the 1950s and were based on Soviet, German, and Italian designs and concepts developed prior to the Second World War.

They were modified to improve their sea keeping capabilities, allowing them to run at high speed in the rough waters of the North Atlantic.

The basic hull was more modern and had better armor protection than the vast majority of the post Second World War gun cruiser designs built and deployed by peer nations.

They also carried an extensive suite of modern radar equipment and anti-aircraft artillery.

The Soviets originally planned to build 40 ships in the class, which would be supported by the Stalingrad-class battlecruisers and aircraft carriers.

The hull was a completely welded new design and the ships had a double bottom for over 75% of their length.

The cruisers had a range of 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).

[1] Sverdlov-class cruisers main armament included twelve 152 mm (6 in)/57 cal B-38 guns mounted in four triple Mk5-bis turrets.

By the end of 1955, on the basis of the pre-design study, the design bureau determined the optimal option: the placement of the M-2 anti-aircraft missile system launcher in the place of the removable main-caliber rear tower (number 3) with the simultaneous rearrangement of the shell cellar of this tower for the missile storage.

In the process of re-equipment on the ship, the following were removed: the third tower, the aft rangefinder post, eight 37 mm V-11 guns and torpedo armament.