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 "Otvazhny": laid down 10.08.1963, launched 17.10.1964 , has entered in build 31.12.1965 and 25.01.1965 is switched on in structure of the Black Sea Fleet.

05-30.06.1967, were in a zone of military actions, carried out a battle task on rendering assistance to the armed forces of Egypt.

10-14.07.1967 - visit in Egypt,
15-19.10.1973 and 19-22.10.1973 - in Italy.

The Project 61 Kashin class destroyer Otvazhny suffered a fire and explosion in her aft SA-N-1 SAM magazine while in the Black Sea on 30 August 1974. Damage to the ship caused her loss.

12.11.1974 was excluded from structure of the Naval Fleet.