The Kashin class ship was designed to fulfill a variety of roles including anti-air and antisubmarine operations to defend task forces from submarines, low-flying aircraft, and cruise missiles. The ship’s hull is divided into separate compartments by 13 main watertight bulkheads, that extent to the upper deck. These bulkheads ensure that buoyancy remains stable if any three adjacent compartments are flooded. The Kashin class was commissioned in 1962, and was the first class of warship to be equipped with gas turbines. The Kashin’s four gas-outlet pipes allow the gas turbines to be replaced through their access holes. It has a top speed of 37 knots.

These ships were redesignated many times. They were originally designed as guard ships (storozhevoy korabl` - SKR). But on 19 May 1966 they were reclassified as large anti-submarine ships (bol`shoy protivolodochny korabl`- BPK). On Jan 1992 the remaining unmodified ships that were still in service at this time, were redesignated guard ship (SKR).

The Russian Navy had ordered industries to produce 20 ships. 15 of them were laid down at 61 Kommunar (Nikolayev) Yard, 5 were laid down at Zhdanov Yard, Leningrad. The 20th ship was completed as an advanced project 61M. 5 other ships of project 61 were upgraded to similar project 61MP after some years of service. The modernizations included - installation of 4 launchers for SSM, new sonar "Platina" and replacement of the 2 RBU 1000 with 4 x 30mm AK 630. Also, special for Indian Navy was designed project 61ME (5 ships).

Large ASW Destroyer "Krasny Kavkaz": laid down 25.11.1964, 25.11.1964 is enlisted in the lists of the Soviet Naval ships, launched 09.02.1966, completed 25.07.1969. At the moment of transfer is awarded with a Guards Naval flag inherited from the same cruiser of the Black Sea Fleet.

01.06 - 31.06.1967 and 01.01 - 31.12.1968, were in a zone of military actions, carried out a battle task on rendering assistance to the armed forces of Egypt and 05.10-24.10.1973 - armed forces of Syria.

02-07.07.1973 - visit to Marseilles (France);
20-25.11.1974 - Latakia (Syria);
10-14.08.1984 - in Varna (Bulgaria);
12-16.08.1985 And 17-21.11.1987 - in Tunis;
20-24.10.1986 - in Havana (Cuba);
24-28.06.1991 - in Toulon (France).

In the period since 10.03.1981 for 19.07.1984 has repair in Sevastopol. Decommisioned 01.05.1998.