The Sovremenny class is a destroyer of Soviet origin. It was developed in the late 1970's to complement the Udaloy class which is better suited in the anti-submarine role. The Sovremenny class was to be used against NATO warships and to provide air defense. Sovremenny is the widely used NATO reporting name for what is officially called the Project 956. Its nickname is Sarych which is Russian for buzzard.

The Sovremenny class has a typical Soviet layout. A turret and SAM system are fitted on the forward deck, the large missile launchers are located next to the bridge, the funnel and sensor masts are located on the superstructure in the middle, the helicopter deck and second SAM system and turret are located at the rear. The telescopic hanger supports one Ka-27 Helix helicopter.

The Sovremenny class is well equiped to fight surface targets with its two quad launchers for the 3M80 Zubr (SS-N-22 Sunburn) missiles and two twin 130mm AK-130 cannon turrets. Air defense is provided by two Uragan (SA-N-7 Gadfly) systems. Submarines are engaged using the two double 533mm torpedo launchers and two RBU-1000 anti-submarine mortars. Self-defense is provided by four AK-630 CIWS systems. Late production models feature longer range 3M82 Moskit missiles and newer Yezh (SA-N-12 Grizzly) air defense systems.

The large MR-750 Fregat (Top Plate) air search radar with a range of 120 km vs aircraft and 50 km vs a sea skimming missile is mounted on the forward mast. Three MR-212 (Palm Frond) radars are used for surface search. The MGK-335 Platina (Bull Horn) active hull mounted sonar is used to detect submarines. Additionally a wide variety of fire control, IFF and navigation systems are fitted. Countermeasures consist of eight PK 10 and two PK 2 chaff launchers and various ESM and ECM systems.

The Sovremenny class is steam powered and features four boilers and two turbines that power two shafts with fixed pitch propellers. The maximum speed is rather high at 32 knots and the range is 6.500 nm at 20 knots.

The Sovremenny was acquired by the Soviet navy and was later transferred to the Russian navy. A total of 14 Project 956 and 3 Project 956A models were built for Soviet service of which 5 currently remain in active service. The last two partly completed Soviet production Project 956A plus two Project 956EM improved newly built models were sold to China.