The Russian Navy does not use the name frigate. Most ships are typed by their function and mission. MPK stands for Malyy Protivolodochnyy Korabl, literally small anti-submarine ship. Most of these are designed for and employed in anti-submarine warfare. However, others are designed for coastal defense and patrol work. They are not designed for fleet escorts, as they have a fairly short range. They are designed to patrol or guard sea areas.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s the Soviet Fleet strongly emphasized its ASW capabilities. Project 1124 Albatros fit in with this strong emphasis on anti-submarine capability. They were designed to guard the sea frontiers of the Soviet Union. They have been built in five series. NATO assigned a code name for these small vessels based on Russian nicknames. Project 1124 vessels were named Grisha, which can be translated to Greg.

MPK "Kasimov" was built by Leninskaya Kuznitsa SY, Kiev, Ukraine. Laid down 20 Apr 1984, completed 07 Oct 1986. Laid up 05 Nov 1986.

From 20 Apr 1984 to 18 Dec 1985 this warship has name "MPK-199", from 18 Dec 1985 to 15 Feb 1992 - "Komsomoletc Armenii", from 15 Feb 1992 to 2001 - "MPK-199" again, and from 2001 to present moment - "Kasimov".