The Sverdlov-class cruisers, Soviet designation Project 68bis, were the last conventional gun cruisers built for the Soviet Navy. They were built in the 1950s and were based on Soviet, German, and Italian designs and concepts developed before the Second World War. They were modified to improve their sea capabilities, allowing them to operate at high speeds in the rough waters of the North Atlantic. The design carried an extensive suite of modern radar equipment and anti-aircraft artillery, which made an approach by existing aircraft within 5,000 yards (4,600 m) extremely dangerous.

The only remaining ship of the class, Mikhail Kutuzov, is preserved in Novorossiysk as a museum ship.