Large hydrographic boats of Project 1896 are designed to perform surveys of the bottom relief, maintenance of floating and coastal aids to navigation equipment, and the delivery of personnel and cargo to the unequipped coast. These boats served on the all four fleets (Baltic, Arctic, Black Sea and Far East) and the Caspian Flotilia.

Large Hydrographic Boat GPB-697 laid down on 20 March 1976 at Vympel Shipyard, Rybinsk (yard No.01245), launched on 20 October 1976, commissioned on 18 December 1976 and was assigned to the Black Sea Fleet.

From 1977 - BGK-697.

On 1997 the large hydrographic boat BGK-697 was transferred to the Ukrainian Naval Forces with rename to Skvira U635.

On March 2014, the flag of the Ukrainian Navy was lowered on the boat, and the flag of the Russian Navy was hoisted.