Nikolayev was the lead ship of the Kara-class cruisers of the Soviet Navy.

[2] On 8 February 1972, she became part of the 30th Surface Ship Division of the Black Sea Fleet.

[3] Between 26 September–1 October 1973, she paid a visit to Split, Yugoslavia, and between 15–21 April 1981 to Havana, Cuba.

On 16 July 1986 at night, she collided with destroyer Strogy (1967) during the exercises in the Sea of Japan.

After light repairs at Dalzavod, Vladivostok, she made a transition to Sevastopol, and then Nikolayev.