Kirovograd Class (Project 773 Class) Ukrainian Amphibious Warfare Vessel

The Kirovograd Class (Project 773 Class) Ukrainian Amphibious Warfare Vessel was originally designated a Polnocny-class ship, which are classified as medium landing ships in the Russian Navy and are loosely equivalent to Western tank landing ships. It was launched in 1970 at the Stocznia Polnocna yards in Gdansk, Poland, and is the oldest operational warship ship in the Ukrainian fleet. In service as the DMS-137 for the Russian Navy, the Kirovograd was involved in the Yom Kippur War, and shot down a F-4 Phantom The ship underwent a refit in 2008, and was seized by the Russians in Crimea, and later returned. They are equipped with a bow ramp that allows beach landings. The Polnocny-C version can carry 12 BMP-2 armored personnel carriers, or 4 Main Battle Tanks, or 250 Infantry Soldiers with their weapons like 82 mm Mortars and ATGMs, or 250 tons of rations & stores. Unlike their Western counterparts, these ships can provide substantial fire support for landed troops with their onboard multiple rocket launchers. Other armament consists of anti-aircraft guns and short-range surface-to-air missiles.