Fully laden, the vessels drew 5.35 metres (17.6 ft) of water and had a displacement of 2,935 tonnes (2,889 long tons).

Their three 1,800-horsepower (1,300 kW) 10-cylinder 13D100 two-stroke opposed-piston diesel engines were coupled to generators that powered electric propulsion motors driving two propellers in the stern and a third one in the bow.

Project 97A icebreakers were capable of breaking 70 to 75 centimetres (28 to 30 in) thick snow-covered ice at very slow but continuous speed.

[2] The seventh of twelve Project 97A icebreakers was laid down at Admiralty Shipyard in Leningrad on 30 March 1964, launched on 25 July 1964, and delivered to the Black Sea Shipping Company on 28 December 1964.

[2] Vladimir Rusanov was taken out of service in May 1988[2] and, after its name was shortened to Vlad, sold to Turkey for scrapping.