A concept of the first Soviet helicopter carrying antisubmarine cruiser received governmental support in 1958, and the Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau was instructed to implement the aforementioned concept into the Project 1123 ship. Work was supervised by Chief Designer A.Savichev. In 1967 A.Marinich succeeded him. Dozens of versions of the planned ship were considered during the design process. As a result, the 4,500-t displacement initially planned in the design and engineering requirements increased to 14,600 t at the construction stage. The ship was designed to carry 14 Ka-25 antisubmarine warfare helicopters built in compliance with the traditional Kamov Design Bureau coaxial rotor principle without the tail rotor. When the Moskva's first appeared in the late 1960s, they were the largest warships completed for the Soviet Navy since the Revolution.

The two Moskva class ships were introduced in 1967 and were homeported in the Black Sea. They deployed to the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. They were designated as "aviation cruisers" at least in part to avoid problems with the 1936 Montreaux Convention, which prohibited passage of "aircraft carriers" through the Dardanelles.

Cruiser "Moskva": laid down 15 Dec 1962, launched 14 Jan 1964, completed 25 Dec 1967. Refit for vertical take off trials 1972 (for the Yak-38 Forger). Extensive machinery fire Feb/2/1975 causing major damage to superstructure and deck. Repaired by late 1976, refit 1978, placed in out of commission in reserve Nov 1983 became barracks ship, 1991 remained flagship of Black Seas Fleet until 1995, stricken from service Nov.1996. Was sold for scrapping in December 1996 to an Indian company and arrived for breaking in June 1997.