List of cruisers of the Russian Navy
Encyclopedia

Note on official classification

Until 1892, there was no standardized name for ships of the cruiser type. They were classified as armoured frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...

s, armoured corvette
Corvette
A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft or fast attack craft , although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role...

s and even screw corvettes. The "Cruiser" \ «крейсер» designation appeared in 1878, but only for auxiliary non-protected ships. Starting in 1892 and up to 1907, all of these ships were divided between 1st rank cruisers and 2nd rank cruisers, although this division did not coincide with the delineation between armoured cruisers & protected cruiser
Protected cruiser
The protected cruiser is a type of naval cruiser of the late 19th century, so known because its armoured deck offered protection for vital machine spaces from shrapnel caused by exploding shells above...

s. The designation "auxiliary cruiser" officially appeared in 1904. According to the new classification table of 1907, all cruisers, except auxiliary ships, were divided between "armoured cruisers" and "cruisers". During the first decades of the Soviet Navy the only one "cruiser" designation existed, but in 1949 cruisers were divided between "light cruisers", "heavy cruisers" and "training cruisers". Later "missile cruisers", "anti-submarine cruisers", "aircraft-carrying cruisers", "heavy nuclear missile cruisers" appeared.

Armoured cruiser

This type of warship was invented by Russians . The ships were intended to conduct the traditional cruiser operations against merchant ships and their protectors. For this reason, they had been armed with heavy main guns and medium armour to fight with light cruisers. The ships also possessed relatively high speed to escape from an opponent's battleships. All of them were officially classified as 1st rank cruisers and were assigned to the Baltic Fleet
Baltic Fleet
The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...

.
  • General-Admiral
    Russian cruiser General-Admiral (1873)
    General-Admiral was the lead ship of the armored cruisers built for the Imperial Russian Navy in the early 1870s. She is generally considered as the first true armored cruiser.-Design and description:...

     \ «Генерал-адмирал», Armoured Frigate (1873) - Voyaged in Atlantic Ocean
    Atlantic Ocean
    The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...

     1893, used as training vessel since early 1900s, Minelayer Narova \ «Нарова» 1909, training vessel 1920, reconstructed as Minelayer 25 Oktiabria \ «25 Октября» 1924, mother-ship 1937, decommissioned 1944, BU 1953
  • Gertsog Edinburgskii \ «Герцог Эдинбургский», Armoured Frigate (ex-Aleksandr Nevskii \ «Александр Невский» - renamed on slip) (1875) - Served at Far East
    Far East
    The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

     1879–1884 and at Mediterranean Sea
    Mediterranean Sea
    The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...

     1897–c.1900, used as training vessel since early 1900s, reconstructed as Minelayer Onega \ «Онега» 1909, hulked as mine depot 1914 (named № 4, Barrikada \ «Баррикада», № 9), BU 1949
  • Minin
    Russian cruiser Minin
    The Russian cruiser Minin was an armored cruiser built for the Imperial Russian Navy during the 1860s and 1870s....

     \ «Минин», Armoured Frigate (1869) - Rebuilt during completion as seagoing cruiser and commissioned 1878, reclassified as 1st rank cruiser 1892, Reconstructed as minelayer Ladoga \ «Ладога» 1909, Mined 1915
  • Vladimir Monomakh class Armoured Frigates (2 units)
    • Vladimir Monomakh
      Russian armoured cruiser Vladimir Monomakh
      Vladimir Monomakh was an armoured cruiser built for the Imperial Russian Navy during the 1880s. The vessel was named after Vladimir II Monomakh, Grand Prince of Kiev. She spent most of her career in the Far East, although the ship was in the Baltic Sea when the Russo-Japanese War began in 1904...

       \ «Владимир Мономах» (1882) - Served at Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1890–1892 & 1894–1902, torpedoed at the Battle of Tsushima
      Battle of Tsushima
      The Battle of Tsushima , commonly known as the “Sea of Japan Naval Battle” in Japan and the “Battle of Tsushima Strait”, was the major naval battle fought between Russia and Japan during the Russo-Japanese War...

       1905
    • Dmitrii Donskoi
      Russian armoured cruiser Dmitrii Donskoi
      Dmitrii Donskoi was an armoured cruiser built for the Imperial Russian Navy in the early 1880s. She was designed as a commerce raider and equipped with a full suite of sails to economize on coal consumption. The ship spent the bulk of her career abroad, either in the Far East or in the Mediterranean...

       \ «Дмитрий Донской» (1883) - Served at Atlantic Ocean
      Atlantic Ocean
      The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...

       1893 and far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1895–1901, damaged and scuttled after the Battle of Tsushima
      Battle of Tsushima
      The Battle of Tsushima , commonly known as the “Sea of Japan Naval Battle” in Japan and the “Battle of Tsushima Strait”, was the major naval battle fought between Russia and Japan during the Russo-Japanese War...

       to prevent capture 1905 (82 men lost)
  • Admiral Nakhimov
    Russian armoured cruiser Admiral Nakhimov
    Admiral Nakhimov , was an armoured cruiser in the Imperial Russian Navy during the Russo-Japanese War. She was named after Admiral Pavel Nakhimov)-Construction:...

     \ «Адмирал Нахимов», Armoured Cruiser (1885) - Served at Far East
    Far East
    The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

     1888–1891, 1894–1898 & 1899–1902 and at Mediterranean Sea
    Mediterranean Sea
    The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...

     1893, torpedoed at the Battle of Tsushima
    Battle of Tsushima
    The Battle of Tsushima , commonly known as the “Sea of Japan Naval Battle” in Japan and the “Battle of Tsushima Strait”, was the major naval battle fought between Russia and Japan during the Russo-Japanese War...

     1905 (18 men lost)
  • Pamiat‘ Azova
    Russian cruiser Pamiat Azova
    The Pamiat Azova was a unique armoured cruiser built for the Imperial Russian Navy in the late 1880s. She was decommissioned from front line service in 1909, converted into a depot ship and sunk by British torpedo boats during the Baltic Naval War, part of the Russian Civil War.-Name:The name of...

     \ «Память Азова», Armoured Frigate (1888) - Voyaged Northern Pacific
    Pacific Ocean
    The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...

     1890–1892, served here 1893–1900, converted to training vessel Dvina \ «Двина», submarine base 1915, renamed Pamiat‘ Azova 1917, torpedoed at Kronstadt
    Kronstadt
    Kronstadt , also spelled Kronshtadt, Cronstadt |crown]]" and Stadt for "city"); is a municipal town in Kronshtadtsky District of the federal city of St. Petersburg, Russia, located on Kotlin Island, west of Saint Petersburg proper near the head of the Gulf of Finland. Population: It is also...

     1919
  • Riurik class Cruisers of 1st Rank (3 units)
    • Riurik
      Rurik (1892)
      The Rurik was an armoured cruiser built for the Imperial Russian Navy in 1895. She was named in honour of Rurik, the semi-legendary founder of ancient Russia...

       \ «Рюрик» (1892) - Served at the Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1895–1904, sunk at the Battle of the Japanese Sea
      Battle off Ulsan
      The naval Battle off Ulsan , also known as the Battle of the Japanese Sea or Battle of the Korean Strait, took place on 14 August 1904 during the Russo-Japanese War, four days after the Battle of the Yellow Sea.-Background:The Vladivostok Cruiser Unit of the Russian fleet...

       1904 (202 men lost)
    • Rossia
      Rossia (1896)
      Rossia was an armored cruiser of the Imperial Russian Navy built in the 1890s. She was designed as a long-range commerce raider and served as such during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–05...

       \ «Россия» (1895) - Served at Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1895–1906, flagship of Rear Admiral Karl Jessen
      Karl Petrovich Jessen
      Vice Admiral Karl Petrovich Jessen was an admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy during the Russo-Japanese War.-Biography:Jessen was of Baltic German descent, born in Livonia. He graduated from the Sea Cadets in 1875 and was commissioned as a lieutenant on July 18, 1879. He graduated from the school...

       during the Russo-Japanese War
      Russo-Japanese War
      The Russo-Japanese War was "the first great war of the 20th century." It grew out of rival imperial ambitions of the Russian Empire and Japanese Empire over Manchuria and Korea...

      , laid up 1918, BU 1922
    • Gromoboi
      Gromoboi (1899)
      Gromoboi was an armoured cruiser of the Imperial Russian Navy built in the late 1890s. She was designed as a long-range commerce raider and served as such during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–05...

       \ «Громобой» (1899) (transitional type to squadron cruisers) - Served at Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1900–1906, laid up 1918, BU 1922

  • Bayan class
    Bayan class
    The Bayan-class was the fourth class of armored cruisers built for the Imperial Russian Navy. Ships of the class were in commission from 1902 to 1920.-Design:...

     (4 units)
    • Bayan
      Russian cruiser Bayan
      The cruiser Bayan was the lead ship in the of armored cruisers in the Imperial Russian Navy. It was built in Toulon, France by the Compagnie des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée à la Seine...

       \ «Баян» (1900, La Seyne
      La Seyne-sur-Mer
      La Seyne-sur-Mer, or La Seyne is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. It is part of the agglomeration of Toulon, and is situated adjacent to the west of this city.-Economy:...

      ) - Served at Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1903–1904, sunk by shells and blown up to prevent capture 1904, refloated by Japans and renamed Aso 1908, minelayer 1920, hulked 1930, sunk as target 1932
    • Admiral Makarov \ «Адмирал Макаров» (1906, La Seyne
      La Seyne-sur-Mer
      La Seyne-sur-Mer, or La Seyne is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. It is part of the agglomeration of Toulon, and is situated adjacent to the west of this city.-Economy:...

      ) - Voyaged Mediterranean Sea
      Mediterranean Sea
      The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...

       1908–1909 & 1909–1910, laid up 1918, BU 1922
    • Pallada
      Russian cruiser Pallada (1911)
      Pallada was the last of the four armored cruisers built for the Imperial Russian Navy in the late 1900s. She was assigned to the Baltic Fleet during World War I where she captured codebooks from the German cruiser that had run aground during the first month of the war...

       \ «Паллада» (1906) - Torpedoed near Odensholm
      Osmussaar
      Osmussaar is an Estonian island situated in the mouth of the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea, 7.5 km off the Estonian mainland. Administratively the island is part of Noarootsi Parish in Lääne County. Its area is ....

       Island 1914 (594 men lost)
    • Bayan (1907) - Laid up 1918, BU 1922

  • Riurik
    Rurik (1906)
    The Rurik was an armoured cruiser built for the Imperial Russian Navy in 1906.-Design and construction:She is unusual in that she was built by Vickers in Barrow in Furness, England. Laid down August 1905, launched 4 November 1906, completed July 1909. The Russian Navy was not usually a customer...

     \ «Рюрик» (1906, Barrow-in-Furness
    Barrow-in-Furness
    Barrow-in-Furness is an industrial town and seaport which forms about half the territory of the wider Borough of Barrow-in-Furness in the county of Cumbria, England. It lies north of Liverpool, northwest of Manchester and southwest from the county town of Carlisle...

    ) - Voyaged Mediterranean Sea
    Mediterranean Sea
    The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...

     1910, flagship of Admiral Nikolai Essen
    Nikolai Essen
    Nikolai Ottovich Essen was a Russian naval commander and admiral from the Baltic German Essen family. For more than two centuries his ancestors had served in the Navy, and seven had been awarded the Order of St...

     during the World War I
    World War I
    World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

    , laid up 1921, BU 1924

Protected cruiser

Russia had nearly not developed this British-designed type of ship, and had instead concentrated on armoured cruisers. Most of these ships were classified officially as 1st rank cruisers, they were assigned to the Baltic Fleet
Baltic Fleet
The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...

, with the exception of a handful of ships.
  • Vitiaz class Screw Corvettes (2 units)
    • Vitiaz \ «Витязь»(1884) - Voyaged to Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1886–1889 & 1891–1893, wrecked in Korea Strait
      Korea Strait
      The Korea Strait is a sea passage between South Korea and Japan, connecting the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan in the northwest Pacific Ocean...

       1893
    • Rynda \ «Рында» (1885) - Voyaged to Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1886–1889, served here 1893–1896, Training vessel 1906, laid up 1918, BU 1922
  • Admiral Kornilov
    Russian cruiser Admiral Kornilov (1887)
    The Admiral Kornilov was a protected cruiser of the Russian Imperial Navy.The ship was laid down in 1886 and launched in 1887 at St. Nazaire in France. She was commissioned in 1888. The Kornilov was 113 meters long and 14.8 meters wide, had a draught of 7.8 meters and featured a large ram bow. She...

     \ «Адмирал Корнилов», Cruiser (1887, Saint-Nazaire
    Saint-Nazaire
    Saint-Nazaire , is a commune in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France.The town has a major harbour, on the right bank of the Loire River estuary, near the Atlantic Ocean. The town is at the south of the second-largest swamp in France, called "la Brière"...

    ) - Served at Far East
    Far East
    The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

     1899–1891 & 1893–1902, reclassified to Cruiser of 2nd Rank 1905 and Training vessel 1907, decommissioned 1911
  • Cruisers of 1st Rank (3 units). In fact, it turned out, they were not suitable to cruiser's duty due to low speed and extra low range. Two of them were used as fire-watch ships at Port Arthur, the third became excellent training cruiser for naval cadets.
    • Pallada
      Russian cruiser Pallada (1899)
      The RUS Pallada was the lead ship in the of protected cruisers in the Imperial Russian Navy. It was built in Admiralty Shipyard, Saint Petersburg, Russia...

       \ «Паллада» (1899) - Served at Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1902–1904, sunk at Port Arthur 1904, refloated by Japan and renamed Tsugaru, reconstruct as minelayer 1920, decommissioned 1922, sunk as target 1924
    • Diana
      Russian cruiser Diana (1899)
      The Diana was the second of three Pallada-class protected cruisers built for the Imperial Russian Navy. The cruiser served as part of the First Pacific Squadron at Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese War and took part in the Battle of the Yellow Sea on August 10, 1904. Later, she served as part...

       \ «Диана» (1899) - Served at Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1902–1906, interned by France 1904, released 1905, laid up 1918, BU 1922
    • Avrora \ «Аврора» (1900) - Served at Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1902–1906, interned by U.S.A. 1905, released 1905, participated October Revolution
      October Revolution
      The October Revolution , also known as the Great October Socialist Revolution , Red October, the October Uprising or the Bolshevik Revolution, was a political revolution and a part of the Russian Revolution of 1917...

       (1917), Training cruiser and cadets' training base 1922–1961, memory ship since 1948, preserved at Saint Petersburg
      Saint Petersburg
      Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...

  • Varyag \ «Варяг» (1899, Philadelphia) - Served at Far East
    Far East
    The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

    , scuttled after the Battle of Chemulpo
    Incheon
    The Incheon Metropolitan City is located in northwestern South Korea. The city was home to just 4,700 people when Jemulpo port was built in 1883. Today 2.76 million people live in the city, making it Korea’s third most populous city after Seoul and Busan Metropolitan City...

     1904, refloated by Japain, renamed Soya, purchased by Russia 1916, renamed Varyag and transferred to Arctic Sea Flotilla
    Arctic Sea Flotilla
    The Arctic Sea Flotilla , was a Russian military flotilla stationed in Murmansk and Iokanga.In September 1916, the Russians began to form ASF from ships transferred from Vladivostok, or acquired abroad. It included 1 battleship, 2 cruisers, 6 destroyers, 2 submarines and other ships...

     1916, seized by the British 1918, used as floating barracks, sold to Germany for BU 1921, wrecked 1922

  • Askol‘d
    Russian cruiser Askold (1900)
    Askold was a protected cruiser built for the Imperial Russian Navy. She was named after the legendary Varangian Askold. Her thin, narrow hull and maximum speed of were considered impressive for the time....

     \ «Аскольд» (1900, Kiel
    Kiel
    Kiel is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 238,049 .Kiel is approximately north of Hamburg. Due to its geographic location in the north of Germany, the southeast of the Jutland peninsula, and the southwestern shore of the...

    ) - Served at Far East
    Far East
    The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

     1902–1914, interned by China to prevent capture1904, released 1905, served at Mediterranean Sea
    Mediterranean Sea
    The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...

     1914–1916, transferred to Arctic Sea Flotilla
    Arctic Sea Flotilla
    The Arctic Sea Flotilla , was a Russian military flotilla stationed in Murmansk and Iokanga.In September 1916, the Russians began to form ASF from ships transferred from Vladivostok, or acquired abroad. It included 1 battleship, 2 cruisers, 6 destroyers, 2 submarines and other ships...

     1916, captured by Britain 1918, renamed Gloria IV, returned to Soviet Russia 1922 and sold for BU
  • Bogatyr‘ class
    Bogatyr class cruiser
    The Bogatyr-class were a group of protected cruisers built for the Imperial Russian Navy. Unusually for the Russian navy, two ships of the class were built for the Baltic Fleet and two ships for the Black Sea Fleet.- Ships :...

     (5 units). Reclassified to "cruisers" in 1907
    • Bogatyr‘ \ «Богатырь» (1901, Stettin
      Szczecin
      Szczecin , is the capital city of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. It is the country's seventh-largest city and the largest seaport in Poland on the Baltic Sea. As of June 2009 the population was 406,427....

      ) - Served at Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1902–1906, voyaged Mediterranean Sea
      Mediterranean Sea
      The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...

       1907–1910, laid up 1918, BU 1922
    • Kagul \ «Кагул» (ex-Otchakov \ «Очаков», renamed 1906) (1902 Black Sea Fleet
      Black Sea Fleet
      The Black Sea Fleet is a large operational-strategic sub-unit of the Russian Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov....

      ) - Renamed Otchakov 1917, captured by Germany 1918, captured by Britain and delivered to White Army 1918, renamed General Kornilov \ «Генерал Корнилов», interned by France in Bizerte
      Bizerte
      Bizerte or Benzert , is the capital city of Bizerte Governorate in Tunisia and the northernmost city in Africa. It has a population of 230,879 .-History:...

      , returned to Soviet Russia 1924 and sold for BU, BU 1933
    • Pamiat‘ Merkuria \ «Память Меркурия» (ex-Kagul \ «Кагул», renamed 1906) (1902 Black Sea Fleet
      Black Sea Fleet
      The Black Sea Fleet is a large operational-strategic sub-unit of the Russian Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov....

      ) - Destroyed by British troops 1919, repaired, reclassified to light cruiser and renamed Komintern \ «Коминтерн» 1922, scuttled as breakwater 1942
    • Oleg \ «Олег» (1903) - sent to Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1905, flagship of Rear Admiral Oskar Enkvist
      Oskar Enkvist
      Oskar Adolfovich Enkwist or Oskar Enquist was an admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy, noted for his role in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.-Biography:...

       at the Battle of Tsushima
      Battle of Tsushima
      The Battle of Tsushima , commonly known as the “Sea of Japan Naval Battle” in Japan and the “Battle of Tsushima Strait”, was the major naval battle fought between Russia and Japan during the Russo-Japanese War...

       (1905), interned by U.S.A. after the battle, released 1905, voyaged at Mediterranean Sea
      Mediterranean Sea
      The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...

       late 1900s, torpedoed 1919, BU 1938
    • Vitiaz‘ \ «Витязь» - Burnt on slip 1901

  • Novik class (1 units)
    • Novik
      Russian cruiser Novik (1900)
      Novík was a protected cruiser in the Imperial Russian Navy, built by Schichau shipyards in Elbing near Danzig, Germany.-Background:Novik was a very fast ship for the time, but smaller than most contemporary cruisers, and perhaps a forerunner of later light cruisers...

       \ «Новик» (1900, Danzig
      Gdansk
      Gdańsk is a Polish city on the Baltic coast, at the centre of the country's fourth-largest metropolitan area.The city lies on the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay , in a conurbation with the city of Gdynia, spa town of Sopot, and suburban communities, which together form a metropolitan area called the...

       or Elbing
      Elblag
      Elbląg is a city in northern Poland with 127,892 inhabitants . It is the capital of Elbląg County and has been assigned to the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship since 1999. Before then it was the capital of Elbląg Voivodeship and a county seat in Gdańsk Voivodeship...

      ) - Served at Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1903–1904, damaged and scuttled to prevent capture 1904, refloated by Japans, commissioned as light cruiser Suzuya, BU 1913
  • Boyarin class (1 units)
  • Boyarin
    Russian cruiser Boyarin (1901)
    Boyarin was a protected cruiser built for the Imperial Russian Navy. It was built by Burmeister & Wain in Copenhagen, Denmark...

     \ «Боярин» (1901, Copenhagen
    Copenhagen
    Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...

    ) - Served at Far East
    Far East
    The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

     1903–1904, mined near Port Arthur 1904
  • Zhemtchug class (upgrated "Novik" class) (2 units)
    • Zhemtchug
      Russian cruiser Zhemchug
      Zhemchug was the second vessel in a two-vessel protected cruisers built for the Imperial Russian Navy. Her name can be translated to mean “Pearl”.-Background:...

       \ «Жемчуг» (1903) - Served at Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1905–1914, interned by U.S.A. after the Battle of Tsushima
      Battle of Tsushima
      The Battle of Tsushima , commonly known as the “Sea of Japan Naval Battle” in Japan and the “Battle of Tsushima Strait”, was the major naval battle fought between Russia and Japan during the Russo-Japanese War...

       (1905), released 1905 and transferred to Siberian Flotilla, sunk in Battle of Penang
      Battle of Penang
      The Battle of Penang occurred on 28 October 1914, during World War I. It was a naval action in the Strait of Malacca, in which the German cruiser sank two Allied warships.-Background:...

       1914
    • Izumrud
      Russian cruiser Izumrud
      Izumrud was a protected cruiser of the Imperial Russian Navy, and the lead ship in the two-ship class. The Izumrud and her sister ship were based on the German-built .-Background:...

       \ «Изумруд»(1903) - Sent to Far East
      Far East
      The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

       1905, wrecked and blown up to prevent capture 1905, found by divers 1989

  • Prut \ «Прут», Cruiser (1903; ex-Turkish Mecidiye
    Ottoman cruiser Mecidiye
    The protected cruiser Mecidiye served in the Ottoman Navy in the Balkan Wars and the First World War. Sunk by a mine, it was salvaged and commissioned by the Russian Navy, before being returned to the Ottomans in 1918...

    , ex-Abdül Mecid ) - Mined near Odessa
    Odessa
    Odessa or Odesa is the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast located in southern Ukraine. The city is a major seaport located on the northwest shore of the Black Sea and the fourth largest city in Ukraine with a population of 1,029,000 .The predecessor of Odessa, a small Tatar settlement,...

     1915, refloated by Russians, repaired and commissioned 1916, captured by Germany, returned Turkey and renamed Mecidiye 1918, Training vessel 1940, decommissioned 1947, BU 1952
  • Muravyov-Amurskii class
    Pillau class light cruiser
    The Pillau class of light cruisers was a pair of ships built in Germany just before the start of World War I. The ships were initially ordered for the Russian Navy, but after the outbreak of war, Germany confiscated the ships before they were transferred to Russia. The ships were similar in design...

     (2 units). Both cruisers were ordered in Germany for Siberian Flotilla. At the beginning of the World War I
    World War I
    World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

     were confiscated by Germans and commissioned to Kaiserliche Marine
    Kaiserliche Marine
    The Imperial German Navy was the German Navy created at the time of the formation of the German Empire. It existed between 1871 and 1919, growing out of the small Prussian Navy and Norddeutsche Bundesmarine, which primarily had the mission of coastal defense. Kaiser Wilhelm II greatly expanded...

    .
    • Muravyev-Amurskii \ «Муравьёв-Амурский» (1914) - Since 1914 SMS Pillau
      SMS Pillau
      SMS Pillau was a German light cruiser in World War I. She and her sistership SMS Elbing were originally ordered from German shipyards by the Russian Navy, but were confiscated at the outbreak of war and taken over by the German Navy...

      , ceded to Italy and renamed Bari, sunk 1943
    • Admiral Nevel‘skoi \ «Адмирал Невельской» (1914) - Since 1914 SMS Elbing
      SMS Elbing
      The SMS Elbing was a German Pillau class light cruiser, named after the East Prussian city of Elbing. Intended for the Russian navy under the name Admiral Newelski , the ship was built at F. Schichau-Werft in Danzig in 1913-1914...

      , sunk at the Battle of Jutland
      Battle of Jutland
      The Battle of Jutland was a naval battle between the British Royal Navy's Grand Fleet and the Imperial German Navy's High Seas Fleet during the First World War. The battle was fought on 31 May and 1 June 1916 in the North Sea near Jutland, Denmark. It was the largest naval battle and the only...

       1916

Yacht cruisers

These ships were simply yacht
Yacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...

s equipped with large calibre artillery. Svetlana was protected, but the others were not.
  • Pamiat‘ Merkuriya \ «Память Меркурия», Cruiser (1880, Le Havre
    Le Havre
    Le Havre is a city in the Seine-Maritime department of the Haute-Normandie region in France. It is situated in north-western France, on the right bank of the mouth of the river Seine on the English Channel. Le Havre is the most populous commune in the Haute-Normandie region, although the total...

    ; ex-Dobroflot
    Dobroflot
    Dobroflot or Dobrovolny Flot was a ship transport association established in the Russian Empire in 1878 funded from voluntary contributions collected by subscription...

     liner Yaroslavl‘ 1 \ «Ярославль (1)») - Purchased to Black Sea Fleet
    Black Sea Fleet
    The Black Sea Fleet is a large operational-strategic sub-unit of the Russian Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov....

     1882, reclassified Cruiser of 1st Rank 1892, decommissioned 1907
  • Svetlana
    Russian cruiser Svetlana (1896)
    The Russian cruiser Svetlana was a protected cruiser built in France in the mid-1890s. In peacetime, she was used as a yacht for the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Russian Navy.-References:...

     \ «Светлана», Cruiser of 1st Rank (1896, Le Havre
    Le Havre
    Le Havre is a city in the Seine-Maritime department of the Haute-Normandie region in France. It is situated in north-western France, on the right bank of the mouth of the river Seine on the English Channel. Le Havre is the most populous commune in the Haute-Normandie region, although the total...

    ) - Sunk at the Battle of Tsushima
    Battle of Tsushima
    The Battle of Tsushima , commonly known as the “Sea of Japan Naval Battle” in Japan and the “Battle of Tsushima Strait”, was the major naval battle fought between Russia and Japan during the Russo-Japanese War...

     1905 (170 men lost)
  • Almaz
    Russian cruiser Almaz
    Almaz was a 2nd-class cruiser in the Imperial Russian Navy, built by Baltic Shipyard in Saint Petersburg, Russia, as a yacht for Viceroy Alexeev, the naval minister of the Russian Empire. - Service history:...

     \ «Алмаз», Cruiser of 2nd Rank (1903) - Interned by U.S.A. after the Battle of Tsushima
    Battle of Tsushima
    The Battle of Tsushima , commonly known as the “Sea of Japan Naval Battle” in Japan and the “Battle of Tsushima Strait”, was the major naval battle fought between Russia and Japan during the Russo-Japanese War...

     (1905), released 1905, reclassified to aviso in 1906 and yacht 1908, equipped by hydroplanes (first in the Russian Navy) 1914 and non-officially classified as hydroplane cruiser, captured by White Army 1919, interned by France in Bizerte
    Bizerte
    Bizerte or Benzert , is the capital city of Bizerte Governorate in Tunisia and the northernmost city in Africa. It has a population of 230,879 .-History:...

     1920, returned to Soviet Russia 1924, sold for BU and BU 1934

Torpedo cruisers

The Russian Navy classified these ships as "minnyi kreiser" \ «минный крейсер» (Torpedo Cruiser
Torpedo gunboat
In late 19th-century naval terminology, torpedo gunboats or, in north European usage, torpedo cruisers, were a form of gunboat armed with torpedoes and designed for hunting and destroying smaller torpedo boats...

): something between cruiser and torpedo boat
Torpedo boat
A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval vessel designed to carry torpedoes into battle. The first designs rammed enemy ships with explosive spar torpedoes, and later designs launched self-propelled Whitehead torpedoes. They were created to counter battleships and other large, slow and...

, and the direct predecessor of destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...

s, but were rather larger and stronger than the destroyesrs of the 1900s. The ships were purposed to struggle with an opponent's torpedo boats, as well as to serve as a torpedo boat squadron leader, escort ship, tow-ship, and other missions. Later, the first Russian destroyers were originally classified as torpedo cruisers.

  • Leytenant Ilyin class (2 units)
    • Leytenant Ilyin \ «Лейтенант Ильин» (1886 Baltic Fleet
      Baltic Fleet
      The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...

      ) - Aviso 1907, decommissioned 1911
    • Kapitan Saken \ «Капитан Сакен» (1886 Black Sea Fleet
      Black Sea Fleet
      The Black Sea Fleet is a large operational-strategic sub-unit of the Russian Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov....

      ) - Harbour vessel Bombory \ «Бомборы» 1907, decommissioned 1909
  • Kazarskii class (6 units)
    • Kazarskii \ «Казарский» (1889 Elbing
      Elblag
      Elbląg is a city in northern Poland with 127,892 inhabitants . It is the capital of Elbląg County and has been assigned to the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship since 1999. Before then it was the capital of Elbląg Voivodeship and a county seat in Gdańsk Voivodeship...

      , Black Sea Fleet
      Black Sea Fleet
      The Black Sea Fleet is a large operational-strategic sub-unit of the Russian Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov....

      ) - Aviso 1907, laid up 1925
    • Voyevoda \ «Воевода» (1892 Elbing
      Elblag
      Elbląg is a city in northern Poland with 127,892 inhabitants . It is the capital of Elbląg County and has been assigned to the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship since 1999. Before then it was the capital of Elbląg Voivodeship and a county seat in Gdańsk Voivodeship...

      , Baltic Fleet
      Baltic Fleet
      The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...

      ) - Aviso 1907, captured by Finland 1918, sold fo Finland 1922, served as gunboat until 1940
    • Posadnik \ «Посадник» (1892 Elbing
      Elblag
      Elbląg is a city in northern Poland with 127,892 inhabitants . It is the capital of Elbląg County and has been assigned to the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship since 1999. Before then it was the capital of Elbląg Voivodeship and a county seat in Gdańsk Voivodeship...

      , Baltic Fleet
      Baltic Fleet
      The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...

      ) - Served at Mediterranean Sea
      Mediterranean Sea
      The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...

       in late 1890s, aviso 1907, captured by Finland 1918, sold to Finland 1922, used as gunboat, minelayer and patrol boat until 1927, BU 1964
    • Vsadnik \ «Всадник» (1893 Siberian Flotilla) - Sank in Port Arthur 1904, refloated by Japan and commissioned as Gunboat Makikumo 1906, BU 1914
    • Gaidamak \ «Гайдамак» (1893 Siberian Flotilla) - Scuttled in Port Arthur 1904, refloated by Japan and commissioned as Gunboat Shikinami 1906, BU 1914
    • Griden‘ \ «Гридень» (1893 Black Sea Fleet
      Black Sea Fleet
      The Black Sea Fleet is a large operational-strategic sub-unit of the Russian Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov....

      ) - Aviso 1907, delivered to Corps of Frontier Guard
  • Abrek \ «Абрек» (1896) - Operated at Mediterranean Sea
    Mediterranean Sea
    The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...

     1899–1904, delivered to Corps of Frontier Guard 1908, mobilized as aviso 1914, laid up 1921–1926, mother ship 1940, BU 1948

Battlecruisers

Actually, they were not battlecruisers, but fast super-dreadnoughts and most strongst warships of the world at the time of heir launching.
  • Izmail or Borodino class
    Borodino class battlecruiser
    The Borodino class battlecruisers were a group of four battlecruisers ordered by the Imperial Russian Navy before World War I. Also referred to as the Izmail class, they were laid down in December 1912All dates used in this article are New Style . at Saint Petersburg for service with the Baltic...

     (4 units)
    • Izmail \ «Измаил» (1915) - Non completed, BU 1931
    • Borodino \ «Бородино» (1915) - Non completed, sold for BU 1923
    • Kinburn \ «Кинбурн» (1915) - Non completed, sold for BU 1923
    • Navarin \ «Наварин» (1916) - Non completed, sold for BU 1923

Non-protected & auxiliary cruisers

Commissioning of these ships was an extraordinary measure taken during the periods of political crises of 1878 and 1904–1905. Auxiliary cruisers, which were used in 1904–1905, were specially constructed or reconstructed as ships of "double destination": ocean liner
Ocean liner
An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport people from one seaport to another along regular long-distance maritime routes according to a schedule. Liners may also carry cargo or mail, and may sometimes be used for other purposes .Cargo vessels running to a schedule are sometimes referred to as...

s at the times of peace and cruisers during war. Most of them were officially classified as cruisers and auxiliary cruisers and belonged to the Baltic Fleet
Baltic Fleet
The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...

 (but two).
  • Rossiya \ «Россия», Cruiser (1868; ex-German liner Holsatia) - Purchased 1878, delivered to Dobroflot
    Dobroflot
    Dobroflot or Dobrovolny Flot was a ship transport association established in the Russian Empire in 1878 funded from voluntary contributions collected by subscription...

     1878, purchased by Navy and commissioned as Training vessel Dnestr \ «Днестр» 1894, hulked 1910.
  • Moskva \ «Москва», Cruiser (1866; ex-German liner Hammonia) - Purchased 1878, delivered to Dobroflot
    Dobroflot
    Dobroflot or Dobrovolny Flot was a ship transport association established in the Russian Empire in 1878 funded from voluntary contributions collected by subscription...

     as Moskva 1 1878, wrecked 1882
  • Peterburg \ «Петербург», Cruiser (1870; ex-German liner Thuringia) - Purchased 1878, delivered to Dobroflot
    Dobroflot
    Dobroflot or Dobrovolny Flot was a ship transport association established in the Russian Empire in 1878 funded from voluntary contributions collected by subscription...

     as Peterburg 1 1878, purchased by Navy and commissioned as Training vessel Berezan‘ \ «Березань» 1893, Transport 1909, floating workshop 1916, submarine base 1921, BU 1931
  • Aziya
    Russian cruiser Asia (1878)
    The Asia was a cruiser of the Imperial Russian Navy. The ship was one of three merchantmen purchased in the United States by the Russian government in 1878 to be transformed into cruisers; the State of California became the Europa, the Saratoga became the Afrika, and the Columbus became the...

    \ «Азия», Cruiser (1874; ex-American liner Columbus) - Purchased 1878, served at Far East
    Far East
    The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

     and Mediterranean Sea
    Mediterranean Sea
    The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...

     1879–1882, Cruiser of 2nd Rank 1892, reconstruct to coal transport in early 1900s, decommissioned 1911, recommissioned 1914, laid up 1918, BU 1923
  • Afrika \ «Африка», Cruiser (1877; ex-American liner Saratoga) - Purchased 1878, served Far East
    Far East
    The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

     1879–1882, Cruiser of 2nd Rank 1892, equipped by radio station (first of the Russian Navy) 1897, Training vessel and divers' base 1906, laid up 1918, BU 1923
  • Evropa \ «Европа», Cruiser (1878; ex-American liner State of California) - Purchased 1878, operated at Far East
    Far East
    The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

     1879–1880, delivered to Dobroflot
    Dobroflot
    Dobroflot or Dobrovolny Flot was a ship transport association established in the Russian Empire in 1878 funded from voluntary contributions collected by subscription...

     1885, renamed Yaroslavl‘ 2 \ «Ярославль (2)», captured by Finland 1918
  • Zabiyaka \ «Забияка», Cruiser (1878, Philadelphia) - Served at Far East
    Far East
    The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

     and Mediterranean Sea
    Mediterranean Sea
    The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...

     1879–1882, reclassified to Cruiser of 2nd Rank and transferred to Siberian Flotilla 1892–1893, sank in Port Arthur 1904

  • Kuban‘ \ «Кубань», Auxiliary Cruiser (1889; ex-German liner Auguste Victoria, ex-Augusta Victoria, ex-Normannia) - Purchased 1904, decommissioned 1906, BU 1907
  • Don
    SS Fürst Bismarck (1890)
    The first SS Fürst Bismarck was an ocean liner built in 1890 by AG Vulcan for the Hamburg America Line. A steamship of 8,430 gross tons, it was assigned to transatlantic crossings between Hamburg Germany and New York, USA...

    \ «Дон», Auxiliary Cruiser (1891; ex-German liner Fürst Bismarck) - Purchased 1904, sold to Dobroflot
    Dobroflot
    Dobroflot or Dobrovolny Flot was a ship transport association established in the Russian Empire in 1878 funded from voluntary contributions collected by subscription...

     1906 as Moskva 4 \ «Москва (4)», resold to Austrian Navy and converted to submarines' base Gaa 1909, seized by Italy 1919, reconstructed as liner San Giusto, BU 1924
  • Ural \ «Урал», Auxiliary Cruiser (1890; ex-German liner Kaiserin Maria Theresia, ex-Spree) - Purchased 1904, sunk at the Battle of Tsushima
    Battle of Tsushima
    The Battle of Tsushima , commonly known as the “Sea of Japan Naval Battle” in Japan and the “Battle of Tsushima Strait”, was the major naval battle fought between Russia and Japan during the Russo-Japanese War...

     1905
  • Terek \ «Терек», Auxiliary Cruiser (1889; ex-German liner Columbia, ex-Spanish cruiser Rapido, ex-German liner Columbia) - Purchased 1904, decommissioned 1906, BU 1907
  • Dnepr \ «Днепр», Auxiliary Cruiser (1894; ex-Dobroflot
    Dobroflot
    Dobroflot or Dobrovolny Flot was a ship transport association established in the Russian Empire in 1878 funded from voluntary contributions collected by subscription...

     liner Peterburg 2 \ «Петербург (2)») - Commissioned 1904, returned to Dobroflot 1905 and served under the old name, commissioned 1914 as transport Don \ «Дон», captured by Germany 1918, captured by Britain 1918, delivered to White Army 1919, interned by France at Bizerte
    Bizerte
    Bizerte or Benzert , is the capital city of Bizerte Governorate in Tunisia and the northernmost city in Africa. It has a population of 230,879 .-History:...

     1920, sold for BU 1922
  • Rion \ «Рион», Auxiliary Cruiser (1901; ex-Dobroflot
    Dobroflot
    Dobroflot or Dobrovolny Flot was a ship transport association established in the Russian Empire in 1878 funded from voluntary contributions collected by subscription...

     liner Smolensk \ «Смоленск») - Commissioned 1904, returned to Dobroflot 1905 and served under the old name, commissioned as Training vessel Rion 1913, Transport 1914, captured by White Army 1919, interned by France in Bizerte
    Bizerte
    Bizerte or Benzert , is the capital city of Bizerte Governorate in Tunisia and the northernmost city in Africa. It has a population of 230,879 .-History:...

     1920, returned to Soviet Russia 1924 and sold for BU
  • Rus‘ \ «Русь», Auxiliary Cruiser (1887; ex-German liner Lahn) - Purchased 1904 and reconstruct as balloon-carrying ship, sold for BU 1906
  • Oriol \ «Орёл», Auxiliary Cruiser (1909; ex-Dobroflot
    Dobroflot
    Dobroflot or Dobrovolny Flot was a ship transport association established in the Russian Empire in 1878 funded from voluntary contributions collected by subscription...

     liner Oriol 2) - Commissioned to Siberian Flotilla 1914, used as training vessel, captured by White Army 1918, returned to Dobroflot 1920, sold to Britain 1922, renamed Silvia, BU 1950
  • Leitenant Dadymov \ «Лейтенант Дадымов», Auxiliary Cruiser (?; ex-Boundary Guard's vessel) - Mobilized to Siberian Flotilla 1914, laid up 1918, captured by White Army 1918, sank 1922



NOTE: There were some other Dobroflot
Dobroflot
Dobroflot or Dobrovolny Flot was a ship transport association established in the Russian Empire in 1878 funded from voluntary contributions collected by subscription...

 liners used in the Navy during the Russo-Japanese War
Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese War was "the first great war of the 20th century." It grew out of rival imperial ambitions of the Russian Empire and Japanese Empire over Manchuria and Korea...

, but they were classified as transports.

Light Cruisers (KRL)

Legkiy kreiser \ «лёгкий крейсер» (КРЛ).
  • Svetlana class
    Svetlana class cruiser
    The Svetlana class cruiser was the first and only class of light cruisers built for the Imperial Russian Navy. Eight were laid down as part of the 1912–16 shipbuilding program...

     (8 units, commissioned 3). Laid up as far back as in Imperial Russia, but were not completed due to the Revolution and Civil war. Three of them were completed in Soviet Union. Belonged to the Black Sea Fleet
    Black Sea Fleet
    The Black Sea Fleet is a large operational-strategic sub-unit of the Russian Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov....

     (Profintern – to the Baltic Fleet
    Baltic Fleet
    The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...

     until 1930).
    • Profintern
      Soviet cruiser Krasnyi Krym
      Krasnyi Krym was a light cruiser of the Soviet Navy. She was laid down in 1913 as Svetlana for the Imperial Russian Navy, the lead ship of the . She was built by the Russo-Baltic Yard in Tallinn, Estonia and launched in 1915. Her hull was evacuated to Petrograd when the Germans approached the port...

       \ «Профинтерн» (ex-Svetlana \ «Светлана», renamed 1925) (1915) - Transferred to the Black Sea Fleet
      Black Sea Fleet
      The Black Sea Fleet is a large operational-strategic sub-unit of the Russian Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov....

       1929–1930, renamed Krasnyi Krym \ «Красный Крым» 1939, Training cruiser 1954, BU 1959. Guards
      Russian Guards
      Guards or Guards units were and are elite military units in Imperial Russia, Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. The tradition goes back to the retinue of a knyaz of medieval Kievan Rus' and the streltsy, the Muscovite harquebusiers formed by Ivan the Terrible by 1550...

       cruiser since 1942.
    • Chervona Ukraina
      Chervona Ukraina
      Chervona Ukraina was a light cruiser of the Soviet Navy assigned to the Black Sea Fleet. During World War II she supported Soviet forces during the Sieges of Odessa and Sevastopol before being sunk at Sevastopol on 12 November 1941 by German aircraft...

      \ «Червона Украина», and also «Червона Україна» (ex-Admiral Nakhimov \ «Адмрал Нахимов») (1915) - sank 1941
    • Krasnyi Kavkaz
      Krasny Kavkaz
      Krasnyi Kavkaz was a cruiser of the Soviet Navy that began construction during World War I, but was still incomplete during the Russian Revolution. Her design was heavily modified by the Soviets and she was completed in 1932...

      \ «Красный Кавказ» (ex-Admiral Lazarev \ «Адмирал Лазарев») (1916) - Training cruiser 1947, sunk as target 1952. Guards
      Russian Guards
      Guards or Guards units were and are elite military units in Imperial Russia, Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. The tradition goes back to the retinue of a knyaz of medieval Kievan Rus' and the streltsy, the Muscovite harquebusiers formed by Ivan the Terrible by 1550...

       cruiser since 1942.
    • Admiral Spiridov \ «Адмирал Спиридов» (1916) - Completed as tanker Grozneft‘ \ «Грознефть» 1926, BU 1952
    • Admiral Greig \ «Адмирал Грейг» (1916) - Completed as tanker Azneft‘ \ «Азнефть» 1926, wrecked 1937
    • Admiral Butakov \ «Адмирал Бутаков» (1916) - Non completed, laid up 1917, sunk 1942, BU 1952
    • Admiral Kornilov \ «Адмирал Корнилов» (1917) - Non completed, BU 1932
    • Admiral Istomin \ «Адмирал Истомин» - Non completed, BU on slip 1927


  • Project 26 and 26-bis ('Kirov' class)
    Kirov class cruiser
    The Kirov-class cruisers were six vessels built between 1935 and 1944 for the Soviet Navy: Kirov, Voroshilov, Maxim Gorky, Molotov, Kalinin, and Kaganovich. After the first two ships, armor protection was increased and subsequent ships are sometimes called the Maxim Gorky class...

     (6 units). These cruisers were classified as light, but possessed 7-inch main calibre (middle between 6-inch calibre of light cruisers and 8-inch calibre of medium cruisers)
    • Project 26 ('Kirov' subclass) (2 units)
      • Kirov
        Soviet cruiser Kirov
        Kirov was a Project 26 of the Soviet Navy that served during the Winter War, World War II and into the Cold War. She attempted to bombard Finnish coast defense guns during action in the Winter War, but was driven off by a number of near misses that damaged her...

         \ «Киров» (1936 Baltic Fleet
        Baltic Fleet
        The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...

        ) - Damaged by air bombs in 1941 & 1942, repaired 1943, decommissioned 1974
      • Voroshilov \ «Ворошилов» (1937 Black Sea Fleet
        Black Sea Fleet
        The Black Sea Fleet is a large operational-strategic sub-unit of the Russian Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov....

        ) - Reconstructed as Project 33M experimental vessel 1963, BU 1970s
    • Project 26bis ('Maksim Gorkiy' subclass) (4 units)
      • Maksim Gorkiy
        Soviet cruiser Maxim Gorky
        Maxim Gorky was a Project 26bis of the Soviet Navy that saw action during World War II and continued in service into the Cold War. The ship’s bow was blown-off by a mine in the Gulf of Riga during the opening stages of Operation Barbarossa, but she made it to Kronstadt for repairs...

         \ «Максим Горький» (1938 Baltic Fleet
        Baltic Fleet
        The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...

        ) - Mined 1941, repaired 1941, BU 1958
      • Molotov \ «Молотов» (1939 Black Sea Fleet
        Black Sea Fleet
        The Black Sea Fleet is a large operational-strategic sub-unit of the Russian Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov....

        ) - Torpedoed 1942, repaired 1943, transformed to training cruiser and renamed Slava \ «Слава» 1958, decommissioned 1972
      • Kalinin \ «Калинин» (1942 Pacific Ocean Fleet) - BU 1961
      • Kaganovich \ «Каганович» (1944 Pacific Ocean Fleet)

  • Project 68 and 68K ('Chapaev' class)
    Chapayev class cruiser
    The Chapayev class were a group of cruisers built for the Soviet Navy during and after World War II. Seventeen ships were planned but only seven were actually started before the German invasion...

     (7 units, commissioned 5)
    • Chapayev \ «Чапаев» (1941) - Completed according to Project 68K 1950, training cruiser 1958, hulked as floating barracks 1960, decommissioned 1963
    • Kuibyshev \ «Куйбышев» (1941) - Commissioned 1950, training cruiser 1958, decommissioned 1965
    • Zhelezniakov \ «Железняков» (1941) - Completed according to Project 68K 1950, training cruiser 1961, decommissioned 1975
    • Chkalov \ «Чкалов» (1947) - Completed according to Project 68K 1950, training cruiser Komsomolets \ «Комсомолец» 1958, decommissioned 1979
    • Frunze \ «Фрунзе» (1940) - Completed according to Project 68K 1950, Training cruiser 1958, decommissioned 1960
    • Ordzhonikidze \ «Орджоникидзе» - Blew up on slip 1941 to prevent capture, BU by Germans until 1943
    • Sverdlov \ «Свердлов» - Blew up on slip 1941 to prevent capture, BU by Germans until 1943

  • Murmansk \ «Мурманск» (1921; ex-American Milwaukee
    USS Milwaukee (CL-5)
    thumb|300px|right|Launching of MilwaukeeUSS Milwaukee was an Omaha-class light cruiser in the United States Navy. She was the third Navy ship named for the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin...

    ) - Delivered from U.S.A. on account of reparations from Italy 1944, returned to U.S.A.1947 (instead of Emanuele Filiberto Duca d'Aosta), BU 1949
  • Admiral Makarov \ «Адмирал Макаров» (1934; ex-German Nürnberg
    German cruiser Nürnberg
    The Nürnberg, was a German light cruiser of the Leipzig class named after the city of Nuremberg. Some sources consider the Leipzig and Nürnberg to be of separate, single ship, classes...

    ) - Accepted by USSR according to reparations from Germany 1946, training cruiser 1957, decommissioned 1959
  • Kerch‘ \ «Керчь» (1934; ex-Italian Emanuele Filiberto Duca d‘Aosta
    Italian cruiser Emanuele Filiberto Duca d'Aosta
    Emanuele Filiberto Duca d'Aosta was an Italian light cruiser of the fourth group of the , that served in the Regia Marina during World War II. She survived the war, but was ceded as war reparation to the Soviet Navy in 1949...

     - Accepted by USSR according to reparations from Italy 1949, training cruiser 1956, decommissioned 1959


  • Project 68bis ('Sverdlov' class)
    Sverdlov class cruiser
    The Sverdlov class cruisers, Soviet designation Project 68bis, were the last conventional cruisers built for the Soviet Navy; 13 ships were completed before Nikita Khrushchev called a halt to the programme as these ships were considered obsolescent with the advent of the guided missile...

     (21 units, commissioned 14)
    • Sverdlov \ «Свердлов» (1950) - Laid up 1966, recommissioned 1972, laid up 1978, decommissioned 1989 and sold for BU
    • Ordzhonikidze \ «Орджоникидзе» (1950) - Sold to Indonesia
      Indonesian Navy
      The role of the Indonesian Navy is to patrol of Indonesia's immense coastline, to ensure safeguard the territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone , to protect Indonesia's maritime strategic interests, to protect the islands surrounded Indonesia and to defend against seaborne threats. The TNI...

       1962, renamed Irian, BU 1972
    • Zhdanov \ «Жданов» (1950) - Rebuilt to staff ship (project 68U-1) 1970, laid up 1988, decommissioned 1990 and sold for BU
    • Aleksandr Nevski \ «Александр Невский» (1951) - Laid up 1964, recommissioned 1970, decommissioned 1989
    • Admiral Nakhimov \ «Адмирал Нахимов» (1951) - Rebuilt (project 67EP) 1955, BU 1961-62
    • Admiral Ushakov \ «Адмирал Ушаков» (1951) - Laid up 1964, recommissioned and modernized (project 68A) 1971, laid up 1983, decommissioned 1987 and sold for BU
    • Admiral Lazarev \ «Адмирал Лазарев» (1952) - Laid up 1963, decommissioned 1986 and sold for BU
    • Dzerzhinsky \ «Дзержинский» (1952) - Modernized AA Missile Cruiser (project 70E) 1958, training cruiser 1951, laid up 1980, decommissioned 1988 and sold for BU
    • Admiral Seniavin \ «Адмирал Сенявин» (1952) - Rebuilt to staff ship (project 68U-2) 1972, decommissioned 1989 and sold for BU
    • Mikhail Kutuzov \ «Михаил Кутузов» (1952) - Modernized (project 68A) 1989, laid up 1990, museum ship in Sevastopol
      Sevastopol
      Sevastopol is a city on rights of administrative division of Ukraine, located on the Black Sea coast of the Crimea peninsula. It has a population of 342,451 . Sevastopol is the second largest port in Ukraine, after the Port of Odessa....

       2002
    • Aleksandr Suvorov \ «Александр Суворов» (1953) - Laid up 1986, decommissioned 1989 and sold for BU
    • Dmitrii Pozharskii \ «Дмитрий Пожарский» (1953) - Laid up 1979, decommissioned 1987 and sold for BU
    • Molotovsk \ «Молотовск» (1954) - Renamed Oktyabrskaya Revolutsia \ «Октябрьская Революуия» 1957, laid up 1960, recommissioned 1965, modernized (project 68A) 1969, decommissioned 1987 and sold for BU
    • Murmansk \ «Мурманск» (1955) - Laid up 1989, decommissioned 1992, grounded at Sørvær
      Sørvær, Finnmark
      Sørvær is a village in the municipality of Hasvik, Norway. It has a population of 201.-References:...

       in Norway when towing for BU 1994.
    • Koz‘ma Minin \ «Козьма Минин» (Arkhangel‘sk \ «Архангельск») (1953) - Project 68bis-ZIF, non completed, BU 1959
    • Dmitrii Donskoi \ «Дмитрий Донской» (Vladivostok \ «Владивосток») (1953) - Project 68bis-ZIF, non completed, BU 1959
    • Kronstadt \ «Кронштадт» (1954) - Project 68bis-ZIF, non completed, BU 1959
    • Scherbakov \ «Щербаков» (1954) - Project 68bis-ZIF, non completed, BU 1959
    • Admiral Kornilov \ «Адмрал Корнилов» (1954) - Project 68bis-ZIF, non completed, BU 1959
    • Tallin \ «Таллин» (1955) - Project 68bis-ZIF, non completed, BU 1959
    • Varyag \ «Варяг» (1956) - Project 68bis-ZIF, non completed, BU 1959

Heavy cruisers (TKR)

Tyazhelyi kreiser \ «тяжёлый крейсер» (ТКР). Prior to and during the Second World War, the Soviet Navy attempted to procure heavier cruiser types, including two different battlecruiser designs. Despite these attempts, not one ship of these types was commissioned into Soviet Navy.
  • Petropavlovsk \ «Петропавловск» (1939; ex-German Lützow) - Purchased being non-completed 1940, participated in the Battle for Leningrad (1941–1944)
    Siege of Leningrad
    The Siege of Leningrad, also known as the Leningrad Blockade was a prolonged military operation resulting from the failure of the German Army Group North to capture Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, in the Eastern Front theatre of World War II. It started on 8 September 1941, when the last...

     as floating 8-inch battery, damaged by shells 1941, refloated and repaired 1942, reformed to training vessel 1953, BU 1960
  • Project 69 ( Kronshtadt class)
    Kronshtadt class battlecruiser
    The Kronshtadt-class battlecruisers, with the Soviet designation as Project 69 heavy cruisers, , were ordered for the Soviet Navy in the late 1930s. Two ships were started but none were completed due to World War II. These ships had a complex and prolonged design process which was hampered by...

     (2 units)
    • Kronshtadt \ «Кронштадт» - Laid down 1939, BU on slip 1947
    • Sevastopol‘ \ «Севастополь» - Laid down 1939, blown up on slip 1941 to prenevt capture, BU
  • Project 82 ( Stalingrad class)
    Stalingrad Class Battlecruiser
    The Stalingrad-class battlecruiser, also known in the Soviet Union as Project 82 , was intended to be built for the Soviet Navy after World War II. Three ships were ordered, but none were ever completed....

     (3 units)
    • Stalingrad \ «Сталинград» (1954) - Not completed, sunk as target 1950s
    • Moskva \ «Москва» - Laid down 1952, BU on slip 1950s
    • Arkhangel‘sk \ «Архангельск» - Laid down 1952, BU on slip 1950s

Guided Missile Cruisers (RKR)

Raketnyi kreiser \ «ракетный крейсер» (РКР).
  • Project 58 ('Groznyi' class) (4 units). Classified as Destroyers until 1962, this reason «destroyers'» names were replaced by «cruisers'» (but Groznyi)
    • Groznyi \ «Грозный» (1961) - Decommissioned 1991, BU 1993
    • Vladivostok \ «Владивосток» (ex-Stereguschii \ «Стерегущий» - renamed during completion) (1961) - Renamed Admiral Fokin \ «Адмирал Фокин» 1964, decommissioned 1993
    • Admiral Golovko \ «Адмирал Головко» (ex-Doblestnyi \ «Доблестный» - renamed on slip) (1962) - Decommissioned 1998-99
    • Guards
      Russian Guards
      Guards or Guards units were and are elite military units in Imperial Russia, Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. The tradition goes back to the retinue of a knyaz of medieval Kievan Rus' and the streltsy, the Muscovite harquebusiers formed by Ivan the Terrible by 1550...

       cruiser Varyag \ «Варяг» (ex-Soobrazitel‘nyi \ «Сообразительный») (1963) - Decommissioned 1990, BU 1992

  • Project 1134 ('Admiral Zozulya' class)
    Kresta I class cruiser
    Kresta I class cruiser is a Soviet cruiser class, the Soviet designation was Project 1134 Berkut These ships were designed for a surface warfare role. Soviet priorities were changed to an anti-submarine role and only 4 ships were built with this configuration...

     (4 units). Classified as Large Antisubmarine Ships until 1977. Something medium between cruisers and frigates
    • Admiral Zozulya \ «Адмирал Зозуля» (1965) - Decommissioned 1994 and BU
    • Vitse-admiral Drozd \ «Вице-адмирал Дрозд» (1966) - Decommissioned 1990, sank when townig for BU 1992
    • Vladivostok \ «Владивосток» (1966) - Decommissioned 1991 and sold for BU
    • Sevastopol \ «Севастополь» (1967) - Decommissioned 1989, BU 1991


NOTE: Large Antisubmarine Ships of Project 1134A (NATO codename Kresta II) and Project 1134B (Kara) never classified as Cruisers in the Soviet Navy, nor were cruisers in reality: it was a type of large Frigates (due to arming of antisubmatine torpedo-missiles).

  • Project 1164 ('Slava' class)
    Slava class cruiser
    The Slava class cruiser, Soviet designation Project 1164 Atlant, is a large conventionally-powered warship, currently operated by Russia.-Design:...

     (4 units, commissioned 3)
    • Slava
      RFS Moskva
      Moskva is the lead ship of the Project 1164 Atlant class of guided missile cruisers in the Russian Navy....

       \ «Слава» (1979) - Renamed Moskva \ «Москва» 1995. Guards
      Russian Guards
      Guards or Guards units were and are elite military units in Imperial Russia, Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. The tradition goes back to the retinue of a knyaz of medieval Kievan Rus' and the streltsy, the Muscovite harquebusiers formed by Ivan the Terrible by 1550...

       cruiser since 1998.
    • Admiral flota Lobov \ «Адмирал флота Лобов» (1982) - Renamed Marshal Ustinov \ «Маршал Устинов» 1986
    • Chervona Ukraina
      Russian cruiser Varyag (1983)
      Russian cruiser Varyag , , is the third ship of the Slava class of guided missile cruisers built for the Soviet Navy now serving the Russian Navy.- History :...

       \ «Червона Украина» (1983) - Renamed Varyag \ «Варяг» 1995. Guards
      Russian Guards
      Guards or Guards units were and are elite military units in Imperial Russia, Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. The tradition goes back to the retinue of a knyaz of medieval Kievan Rus' and the streltsy, the Muscovite harquebusiers formed by Ivan the Terrible by 1550...

       cruiser since 1996.
    • Admiral flota Lobov \ «Адмирал флота Лобов» (ex-Komsomolets \ «Комсомолец» - renamed on slip) (1990) - Slowly being completed for the Ukrainian Navy
      Ukrainian Navy
      The Ukrainian Naval Forces is the navy of Ukraine and part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was established in 1992. It consists of 5 branches: surface forces, submarine forces, Navy aviation, coast rocket-artillery and marines...

      , renamed Galichina \ «Галичина» 1993, renamed Україна 1998

Heavy Nuclear Guided Missile Cruisers (TARKR)

Tyazhelyi atomnyi raketnyi kreiser \ «тяжёлый атомный ракетный крейсер» (ТАРКР). Were reclassified to Heavy Guided Missile Cruisers (TRKR) in 1997.

  • Project 1142.2 ('Kirov' class)
    Kirov class battlecruiser
    The Kirov-class battlecruiser is a class of nuclear-powered military ships of the Russian Navy, the largest and heaviest surface combatant warships currently in active operation in the world. The Russian designation is heavy nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser...

     (4 units)
    • Kirov
      Soviet battlecruiser Kirov
      Kirov, the lead ship of her class of nuclear-powered missile cruisers, is one of the major and biggest surface warships of the Russian Navy, though it was originally built for the Soviet Navy. It is similar in size to a World War II battleship...

       \ «Киров» (1977) (Project 1144) - Renamed Admiral Ushakov \ «Адмирал Ушаков» 1992, laid up 1990
    • Frunze
      Soviet battlecruiser Frunze
      Admiral Lazarev is the second Kirov class battlecruiser. In fact, she is not a battlecruiser, but a heavy missile cruiser. However, her size has given her the unofficial designation of a battlecruiser in the mass media of many countries...

       \ «Фрунзе» (1981) - Renamed Admiral Lazarev \ «Адмирал Лазарев» 1992, laid up 1991
    • Kalinin
      Soviet battlecruiser Kalinin
      Admiral Nakhimov is the third battlecruiser of the Kirov class. In fact, she is not a battlecruiser, but a heavy missile cruiser. However, her size has given her the unofficial designation of a battlecruiser in the mass media of many countries...

       \ «Калинин» (1986) - Renamed Admiral Nakhimov \ «Адмирал Нахимов» 1992
    • Yurii Andropov
      RFS Pyotr Velikiy
      Pyotr Velikiy is a heavy nuclear-powered cruiser , the fourth Kirov class battlecruiser of the Russian Navy, originally named Yuriy Andropov...

       \ «Юрий Андропов» (1989) - Renamed Piotr Velikii \ «Пётр Великий» 1992

Antisubmarine Cruisers (PKR)

Protivolodochnyi kreiser \ «противолодочный крейсер» (ПКР). Helicopter-carrying cruisers. Ships were purposed to searching and destroying opponent's guided missile and multi-purpose submarines at the remote boundaries of antisubmarine defence, consisting of ships' squadrons and cooperating with other antisubmarine ships and aircraft.
  • Project 1123 ('Moskva' class) (2 units)
    • Moskva \ «Москва» - Decommissioned 1995 and sold for BU
    • Leningrad \ «Ленинград» - Decommissioned 1991, sank when towing for BU 1994

Heavy Aircraft-carrying Cruisers (TAKR)

Tyazhelyi avianesushchii kreiser \ «тяжёлый авианесущий крейсер» (ТАКР). Ships were purposed to air-covering of patrol regions of Soviet ballistic missile submarines (to destroying opponent's antisubmarine helicopters and airplanes), as well as to searching and destroying opponent's guided missile & multi-purpose submarines and (3rd purpose) to striking the opponent's above-water ships by guided missiles, consisting of ships' squadrons and cooperating with other Fleet's forces. Despite of superficial resemblance, they were not aircraft carriers in that sense, in which this term is applicable to American and British carriers. They were not intended to be main shock force of the Navy, but only a part of own strategic submarines' defense system (first three units). Fourth ship really became a large training base for fifth, her aircraft (Yak-141) was not completed and she remained with helicopters only, i. e. as antisubmarine cruiser. Fifth unit (and uncompleted sixth) were designed as ships of transitional type, and only seventh, non-completed nuclear Ulyanovsk, although classified officially to cruisers, could became a first Russian relatively full aircraft carrier.
  • Project 1143 (Kiev class)
    Kiev class aircraft carrier
    The Kiev class carriers were the first class of fixed-wing aircraft carriers built in the Soviet Union....

     (3 units). Classified originally to Antisubmarine Aircraft-Carrying Cruisers, since 1977 (most part of their career) – to Heavy Aircraft-carrying Cruisers, since 1991 (after decommissioning of their Yak-38 aircraft) — to Heavy Helicopter-carrying Cruisers.
    • Kiev
      Soviet aircraft carrier Kiev
      Kiev was a heavy aircraft carrying cruiser that served the Soviet and Russian navies from 1975 to 1993. It was built from 1970 till 1975 at Chernomorski factory in Nikolayev and was the first ship of its class -Service life:The Kiev was laid down on 21 July 1970 and launched on 26 December 1972...

       \ «Киев» (1972) - Decommissioned 1993, sold for BU to China 2000, resold and became a part of military theme park in Tianjin
      Tianjin
      ' is a metropolis in northern China and one of the five national central cities of the People's Republic of China. It is governed as a direct-controlled municipality, one of four such designations, and is, thus, under direct administration of the central government...

       (2003)
    • Minsk
      Soviet aircraft carrier Minsk
      Minsk is an aircraft carrier that served the Soviet Navy, and later the Russian Navy, from 1978 to 1994. She was the second Kiev-class vessel to be built.- History :...

       \ «Минск» (1975) - Decommissioned 1993, sold for BU to South Korea, resold and became a part of military theme park in Shenzhen
      Shenzhen
      Shenzhen is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones...

       (2003)
    • Novorossiysk (1978) (Project 1143.3) \ «Новороссийск» - Laid up 1991, decommissioned 1993, sold for BU 1994 to South Korea
  • Baku
    INS Vikramaditya
    INS Vikramaditya is the new name for the former Soviet aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, which has been procured by India, and is estimated to enter service in the Indian Navy after 2012....

     \ «Баку» (1982) (Project 1143.4) - Renamed Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Gorshkov \ «Адмирал Флота Советского Союза Горшков» (non-officially Admiral Gorshkov, unceremoniously — Gorshok) 1991, burnt 1993 & 1994, laid up 1996, sold to India and renamed Vikramaditya 2004


  • Project 1143.5 ('Admiral Kuznetsov' class) (2 units)
    • Tbilisi \ «Тбилиси» (ex-Leonid Brezhnev \ «Леонид Брежнев», ex-Riga \ «Рига» - renamed on slip) (1985) - Renamed Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov \ «Адмирал Флота Советского Союза Кузнецов» (non-officially Admiral Kuznetsov, unceremoniously — Kuzya) 1990, operated at Mediterranean Sea
      Mediterranean Sea
      The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...

       1995–1996
    • Riga
      Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag
      Varyag was to be an Admiral Kuznetsov class multirole aircraft carrier of the Soviet Union. She was known as Riga when her keel was laid down at Shipyard 444 in Nikolayev December 6, 1985. Design of the carrier was undertaken by the Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau...

       \ «Рига» (1988) - Renamed Varyag \ «Варяг» 1990, laid up 1992, being incompleted sold by Ukraina to People's Liberation Army Navy
      People's Liberation Army Navy
      The People's Liberation Army Navy is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army , the military of the People's Republic of China. Until the early 1990s, the navy performed a subordinate role to the PLA Land Forces. Since then, it has undergone rapid modernisation...

      , towed to China 2002, renamed Shi Lang 2008, supposed to be commissioned by 2010.

  • Ulyanovsk
    Soviet aircraft carrier Ulyanovsk
    Ulyanovsk was the first of a class of Soviet nuclear-powered supercarriers which for the first time would have offered true blue water aviation capability for the Soviet Navy...

     \ «Ульяновск» (Project 1143.7) - Laid down 1988, non completed and BU 1992

Auxiliary Cruisers (VKR)

Vspomogatel'nyi kreiser \ «Вспомогательный крейсер» (ВКР).
  • Venture \ «Вентюр» (1899, ex-steamer) - Mobilized by White Army at Caspian Sea
    Caspian Sea
    The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...

     1918, voluntary joined Red Army
    Red Army
    The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...

     and renamed Avstraliya \ «Австралия» (later Bela Kun \ «Бела Кун») 1920, decommissioned 1920
  • Aga Selim \ «Ага Селим» (1897; ex-tanker) - Mobilized at Caspian Sea
    Caspian Sea
    The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...

     1918, renamed Rosa Luxemburg \ «Роза Люксембург» 1919, decommissioned 1926
  • Bambak \ «Бамбак» (1894; ex-steamer) - Mobilized at Caspian Sea
    Caspian Sea
    The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...

     1918, renamed Ilyich \ «Ильич» 1919, decommissioned 1920
  • Delo \ «Дело» (1908; ex-tanker) - Mobilized 1918, renamed III Internatsional \ «III Интернационал» 1919, decommissioned 1920
  • Dublin Castle \ «Дублин Кастл» (1897; ex-tanker Yupiter \ «Юпитер») - Mobilized by White Army at Caspian Sea
    Caspian Sea
    The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...

     1918, captured 1920, renamed Evropa \ «Европа», decommissioned 1920
  • Kolomna \ «Коломна» (1888; ex-steamer) - Mobilized at Caspian Sea
    Caspian Sea
    The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...

     1918, renamed Krasnoye Znamia \ «Красное Знамя» 1919, decommissioned 1920
  • Makarov I \ «Макаров I» (1898; ex-towboat) - Mobilized at Caspian Sea
    Caspian Sea
    The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...

     1918, renamed Proletarii \ «Пролетарий» 1919, decommissioned 1920
  • Slava \ «Слава» (1903; ex-steamer) - Mobilized at Caspian Sea
    Caspian Sea
    The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...

     1918, renamed Krasnoye Znamia \ «Красное Знамя» 1919, decommissioned 1920
  • Indigirka \ «Индигирка» (1918; ex-netlayer) - Mobilized at Volga River
    Volga River
    The Volga is the largest river in Europe in terms of length, discharge, and watershed. It flows through central Russia, and is widely viewed as the national river of Russia. Out of the twenty largest cities of Russia, eleven, including the capital Moscow, are situated in the Volga's drainage...

     1919, renamed Leitenant Schmidt \ «Лейтенант Шмидт» 1920, decommissioned 1923
  • Kaspii \ «Каспий» (1914; ex-ice-breaker) - Mobilized at Caspian Sea
    Caspian Sea
    The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...

     1918, wrecked 1920, refloated 1935
  • Pushkin \ «Пушкин» (1893; ex-steamer) - Mobilized by White Army at Caspian Sea
    Caspian Sea
    The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...

     1919, captured 1920, renamed Sovetskii Azerbaydzhan \ «Советский Азербайджан», decommissioned 1921
  • Ivan Susanin \ «Иван Сусанин» (1899; ex-Canadian ice-breaker Minto, purchased by Imperial Russi) - Mobilized at White Sea
    White Sea
    The White Sea is a southern inlet of the Barents Sea located on the northwest coast of Russia. It is surrounded by Karelia to the west, the Kola Peninsula to the north, and the Kanin Peninsula to the northeast. The whole of the White Sea is under Russian sovereignty and considered to be part of...

     1920, decommissioned 1920, renaned Leitenant Dreyer \ «Лейтенант Дрейер» 1920, wrecked 1922
  • Kanada \ «Канада» (1909; ex-Canadian ice-breaker Earl Grey, purchased by Imperial Russia) - Mobilized at White Sea
    White Sea
    The White Sea is a southern inlet of the Barents Sea located on the northwest coast of Russia. It is surrounded by Karelia to the west, the Kola Peninsula to the north, and the Kanin Peninsula to the northeast. The whole of the White Sea is under Russian sovereignty and considered to be part of...

     1920, renamed Tretii Internatsional \ «Третий Интернационал», decommissioned 1921, renamed Fyodor Litke \ «Фёдор Литке», BU 1958
  • Kniaz‘ Pozarskii \ «Князь Пожарский» (1916; ex-ice-breaker) - Mobilized at White Sea
    White Sea
    The White Sea is a southern inlet of the Barents Sea located on the northwest coast of Russia. It is surrounded by Karelia to the west, the Kola Peninsula to the north, and the Kanin Peninsula to the northeast. The whole of the White Sea is under Russian sovereignty and considered to be part of...

     1920, renamed Leitenant Schmidt \ «Лейтенант Шмидт», decommissioned and renamed Stepan Makarov \ «Степан Макаров» 1921, sank 1941
  • Indigirka \ «Индигирка» (1886; ex-Dobroflot
    Dobroflot
    Dobroflot or Dobrovolny Flot was a ship transport association established in the Russian Empire in 1878 funded from voluntary contributions collected by subscription...

     steamer Tsinanfu \ «Цинанфу») - Mobilized at Far East
    Far East
    The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

     1923, decommissioned 1933
  • Oleg \ «Олег» (1896; ex-steamer Pronto) - Mobilized at Far East
    Far East
    The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

     1922, decommissioned 1923, BU 1951
  • Stavropol‘ \ «Ставрополь» (1907; ex-Dobroflot
    Dobroflot
    Dobroflot or Dobrovolny Flot was a ship transport association established in the Russian Empire in 1878 funded from voluntary contributions collected by subscription...

     steamer Kotik \ «Котик») - Mobilized at Far East
    Far East
    The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...

     1922, decommissioned 1923, renamed Voroshilovsk \ «Ворошиловск» 1935, BU 1951
  • Mikoyan \ «Микоян» (1935; ex-ice-breaker O. Yu. Shmidt \ «О. Ю. Шмидт») - Mobilized in June 1941, decommissioned in November 1941 and returned to ice-breakers class, renamed A. Mikoyan \ «А. Микоян», transferred from Black Sea
    Black Sea
    The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...

     to Arkhangelsk
    Arkhangelsk
    Arkhangelsk , formerly known as Archangel in English, is a city and the administrative center of Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia. It lies on both banks of the Northern Dvina River near its exit into the White Sea in the north of European Russia. The city spreads for over along the banks of the river...

    1941–1942
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