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 "Smely": laid down 15.11.1966 and 20.12.1968 is enlisted in the lists of the Soviet Naval ships. Launched 06.02.1968, commissioned 27.12.1969 and 09.01.1970 is switched on in structure of the Black Sea Fleet.

17-22.09.1976 - visit in Italy;
08-13.04.1978 - in Algeria;
13-18.04.1979 - in Yugoslavia.

In 1976-1977 years is modernized on Sevmorzavod in Sevastopol under the Project 61M (Kashin Mod class).

In the period since 17.12.1982 for 30.01.1985 the repair has passed in Riga, then is listed in structure of the Baltic Fleet. 19.01.1988 is transferred to rent Naval Fleet of Poland with renaming in “Warszawa”. 05.03.1988 is excluded from structure of the Soviet Naval fleet.