The 'Kara' design was the first new, large Soviet surface warship in many years, and was evidently intended to boost blue-water ASW capabilities. Although often grouped with cruisers, these ships are destroyers by role. The Kara-class was a further development of the the Kresta-II design, with gas-turbines replacing the steam plants of the previous classes, resulting in major modifications to the layout of the midships section. Although larger than the Kresta-II cruiser and with significant anti-air and anti-submarine capabilities, these ships are classified as destroyers rather than cruisers by the Russian Navy. In total on Project 1134B 7 ships were constructed, 4 of which served on the Black Sea fleet.

Large ASW Destroyer Kerch laid down 30 April 1971 at the Shipyard named after 61 kommunara, Nikolaev (yard No.2003), 25 May 1971 is enlisted in the lists of the ships of the Naval Fleet. Launched 21 July 1972, commissioned 25 December 1974 and 23 January 1975 is switched on in structure of the Black Sea fleet.

Repeatedly participated in the various ocean and sea doctrines, battle services in the Mediterranean sea. In 08.1987 was added air/surface search radar MR-650 Podberezovik instead of air/surface search radar MR-600 Voskhod.

10.08 - 14.08.1984 - visit in Varna (Bulgaria);
28.06 - 02.07.1989 - in Istanbul (Turkey);
11.08 - 15.08.1989 - in Varna (Bulgaria).

From 27 April 1994 to 12 June 1997 was flagship of the Black Sea fleet. In November, 1998 has made official visit to Cannes (France) and in Italy.

15 February 2020 the ship was excluded from the lists of the Black Sea Fleet for dismantle and realization. In 2020 the ship is cut on metal in Inkerman, Sevastopol.