Soviet cruiser Kirov Country: Russia Type: Light cruiser Service: 1938 - 1974 Laid down: 22 October 1935 Launched: 30 November 1936 Commissioned: 23 September 1938 Struck: December 1974

The Kirov-class (Project 26) cruisers were six vessels built between 1935–1944 for the Soviet Navy: Kirov, Voroshilov, Maxim Gorky, Molotov, Kalinin, and Kaganovich. After the first two ships, armor protection was increased and subsequent ships are sometimes called the Maxim Gorky class. These were the first large ships built by the Soviets after the revolution and were designed with assistance from the Italian Ansaldo company. They were derived from the Italian cruiser Raimondo Montecuccoli.

Kirov was the first of class of the Soviet Red Banner light cruiser of the Kirov class. The light cruiser was built at the Ordzhonikidze Yard, Leningrad. Kirov served 1937–1974 in the Baltic Sea. Her role was mainly in support of army units. She was engaged in operations against Finland during the Winter War 1939-1940. Kirov was employed by the Soviet Union during World War II (the Great Patriotic War), primarily at Leningrad. Surviving the war, postwar the Kirov continued as a training ship. She was scrapped in 1974.