Destroyer
Slava-class cruiser
The Slava-class (Project 1164 Atlant) is a class of Soviet and Russian guided-missile cruisers built at the Black Sea Shipyard in Nikolayev, in service since 1982. The flagship Moskva was sunk in April 2022, leaving two ships.
Russia|Black Sea Shipyard (Nikolayev)Overview
The Project 1164 Atlant cruisers were built at the 61 Kommunar yard in Nikolayev, now in Ukraine. Three ships entered service: Moskva (commissioned 1983), Marshal Ustinov (1986) and Varyag (1989). Each displaces about 11,200 t at full load, is around 186 m long, reaches about 32 knots and has a crew of roughly 500. The main armament is 16 P-1000 Vulkan anti-ship missiles, claimed to reach 700 km, plus 64 S-300F missiles and a 130 mm gun.
Moskva, flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, was hit by Ukrainian R-360 Neptune missiles and sank on 14 April 2022. Russia admitted a fire and ammunition explosion but gave no cause. It was Russia’s first major warship loss since the Second World War. Marshal Ustinov, in the Northern Fleet, has had extended repairs, with details sparse, while Varyag serves in the Pacific Fleet and has exercised with China. Planned modernisation has repeatedly been delayed, and no foreign navy operates the class.
Key Specifications
Variants
Moskva was the Black Sea Fleet flagship and sank on 14 April 2022 after being hit by Ukrainian Neptune missiles.
Marshal Ustinov serves in the Northern Fleet and has had extended modernisation and repair work.
Varyag is the Pacific Fleet flagship, commissioned in 1989, and has exercised with the Chinese navy.
Operators
RussiaFrequently Asked Questions
What happened to the cruiser Moskva?
The cruiser Moskva sank on 14 April 2022 after Ukraine said it hit the ship with two R-360 Neptune missiles. Russia admitted a fire and an ammunition explosion, but did not accept the missile claim.
How many Slava-class cruisers does Russia have?
Russia has two Slava-class cruisers after the loss of Moskva in April 2022. These are Marshal Ustinov in the Northern Fleet and Varyag in the Pacific Fleet. Three ships were built in total.
What weapons does the Slava-class carry?
The Slava-class carries 16 P-1000 Vulkan anti-ship missiles, with a claimed 700 km range, and 64 S-300F air-defence missiles. It also has a 130 mm AK-130 gun, torpedoes and close-in weapon systems.
How big is the Slava-class cruiser?
The Slava-class is about 186 m long and displaces around 11,200 t at full load. It reaches about 32 knots with four gas turbines, and the crew is roughly 500.
Slava-class vs Ticonderoga: which is better?
The Slava-class carries heavy anti-ship missiles, with 16 P-1000 Vulkan launchers, while the US Ticonderoga class is built around Aegis air defence and 122 VLS cells. They differ in role, and the Slava-class is older.
Which countries operate the Slava-class?
Only Russia operates the Slava-class. Ukraine inherited the unfinished hulls of a later ship, Ukraina, but the project was cancelled. No export sale has been made.