Russian warships training outside the Baltic according to the Australia Station Intelligence Summary dated 1 September 1956

Kirov

Sverdlov

Sverdlov. Stadsarchief Rotterdam. 4121 Collectie Ary Groeneveld, 1956-1978. Photo dated 25 July 1956

An item reported that late July the Russian cruiser Kirov (1) apparently used for cadet training escorted by 2 Kotlin-class left the Baltic. They had a rendezvous with the cruiser Sverdlov (2) and 2 Skory-class destroyers returning after visited Rotterdam, Netherlands (3) and carried out exercises for several hours before splitting up and returning to the Baltic. It was the first time Russian warships leaving the Baltic except for transferring to another fleet or visiting a foreign harbor.

Notes

1. Part of Kirov-class (Project 26) preceded by Admiral Nakhimov-class succeeded by Chapayev-class, laid down by Ordzhonikidze Yard, Leningrad [nowadays St. Petersburg, Russia] with yard number 269 on 22 October 1935, launched on 30 November 1936, commissioned on 26 September 1938, training ship since 2 August 1961, sold to be broken up on 22 February 1974 and stricken in December 1974.

2. Part of Sverdlov-class cruisers preceded by Chapayev-class succeeded by Kynda-class, laid down by Baltic Shipyard, Leningrad, Russia on 15 October 1949, launched on 5 July 1950, completed on 15 May 1952 and in 1993 towed to India to be broken up.

3. The visit at Rotterdam was between 20-25 July, the two destroyers which escorted the Sverdlov were the Skory-class Surovij and Serdityi.