Soviet destroyer Grozny (1936)

The Grozny was one of the seven Gnevny-class destroyers (Project 7) built for the Soviet Navy in the late 1930s. She was completed in 1937 and served in the Baltic Fleet throughout her career.

Design and Characteristics:

The Grozny, like her sister ships, was designed with Italian assistance, drawing heavily on the Maestrale-class destroyers of the Regia Marina. Key features included a flush-deck design, four single 130mm B-13 guns, and two triple 533mm torpedo tubes. The Grozny was powered by two geared turbines, enabling a designed speed of 36 knots. However, operational speeds often fell short of this mark.

Service History:

Upon completion, the Grozny joined the Baltic Fleet. She participated in various exercises and patrols in the pre-war period. During the Winter War against Finland (1939-1940), the Grozny provided naval gunfire support to Soviet forces ashore, bombarding Finnish coastal positions.

With the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, the Grozny was immediately engaged in combat. She participated in naval bombardments against advancing German troops along the Baltic coast. She also escorted convoys and laid minefields in the Gulf of Finland to impede German naval operations.

The Grozny sustained damage from air attacks and artillery fire throughout the war, requiring periods of repair. Despite these setbacks, she remained active, contributing significantly to the Soviet war effort in the Baltic theater.

Fate:

The Grozny survived World War II and continued to serve in the Soviet Navy until the 1950s. She was eventually decommissioned and scrapped. Although no longer extant, the Grozny represents an important class of Soviet destroyers that played a vital role in the early years of the Great Patriotic War.