Variations in fuel oil capacity meant that the range of the Gnevnys varied between 1,670 to 3,145 nautical miles (3,093 to 5,825 km; 1,922 to 3,619 mi) at 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph).

[12] During the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland, Gremyashchy was assigned to performing patrol duties and escorting transport ships, and did not participate in any battles.

Following the entry of the Soviet Union into World War II, she was moved to Vaenga by order of the commander of the fleet, and began her first patrols on 24 June 1941, escorting the transport ships Mossovet and Tsiolkovskiy from Murmansk to Titovka.

On 22 August 1941, alongside destroyers Uritsky, Kuibyshev and Gromkiy, Gremyashchy protected the damaged depot ship Maria Ulyanova after she was hit by a torpedo attack from a German submarine.

During the evening of 24 and 25 November 1941, she fired eighty-nine 130 mm shells at the Norwegian port of Vardø, alongside destroyer Gromky and the British light cruiser HMS Kenya.

While escorting Convoy QP 9 on 22 March 1942, a severe storm damaged the upper deck, boiler casing and drinking water pipeline of the ship.

Later, German destroyers Z24 and Z25 began attacking British ships, however were fired upon by HMS Trinidad, Gremyashchy and Sokrushitelny, and eventually were sunk.

On 30 April, she accompanied the damaged HMS Edinburgh, however was forced to return to base on 1 May due to a lack of fuel.

On 8 May 1942, Gremyashchy provided fire support for troop landings at Cape Pikshuev, and on 23 August, accompanied a detachment of warships at Kola Bay alongside Sokrushitelny.

On 12 October 1943, the cargo ship Marina Raskova lost steering control as a result of stormy weather, and was towed by Gremyashchy.

[citation needed] After a series of seven escort missions between 16 October and 8 December, Gremyashchy began an overhaul at Molotovsk Factory No.