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.

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

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

[1] She was laid down at the Black Sea Shipyard in Nikolayev on 23 February 1951 and commissioned on 30 December 1954.