Mikhail Kutuzov, Museum ship in Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Krai, Russia
The Mikhail Kutuzov is a former Soviet Sverdlov-class light cruiser now moored as a museum ship in the port of Novorossiysk, in Krasnodar Krai. The vessel is about 180 meters long, painted gray, and still carries its original guns, radar equipment, and deck structures.
The ship was laid down in the early 1950s and launched in 1952, entering service as part of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet. It took part in operations in the Mediterranean during the Arab-Israeli conflicts of the 1960s and 1970s before being retired and converted into a museum in 2002.
Visiting the ship involves walking along multiple decks and climbing stairs, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. Guided tours run regularly throughout the day, making it easy to join one without planning far in advance.
The Mikhail Kutuzov is the only surviving ship of its class in the world, as the Soviet program was cut short and most sister vessels were scrapped or never completed. Just in front of the bow, a monument stands in honor of sailors' wives, recalling the families who waited during long deployments at sea.
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