Dyugon-class

The Dyugon-class landing craft, designated Project 21820, was developed by the Nizhny Novgorod Central Design Bureau for Hydrofoils as an enlarged version of the Project 11770 Serna design. Production was distributed among the Shipbuilding Plant Volga in Nizhny Novgorod, Vostochnaya Verf in Vladivostok, and the Yaroslavl Shipyard. The allocation of construction contracts to multiple shipyards was influenced by regional socio-economic considerations and a requirement to maintain industrial capacity across different regions.

The class employs air-cavity technology, a dynamic air cushion where a layer of compressed air is maintained under the hull by the vessel's motion. This system reduces hull friction and hydrodynamic resistance. Unlike static air cushions, the air-cavity system does not utilize fans to maintain the air layer. The design is configured for the transport and landing of main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and marine infantry units.

Five vessels were commissioned into the Russian Navy between 2010 and 2015. The lead unit, Ataman Platov, is assigned to the Caspian Flotilla, while Ivan Kartsov serves with the Pacific Fleet. The Baltic Fleet operates three vessels: Denis Davydov, Lieutenant Rimskij-Korsakov, and Midshipman Lermontov. Operational reports following sea trials in the Caspian Sea identified structural deficiencies, including the development of cracks in the hull and stern seams during high-speed maneuvers. Naval reports attributed these failures to design and assembly errors where actual hydrodynamic shock during operation exceeded the calculated strength characteristics of the hull. Despite internal recommendations to terminate the project following these trials, the five completed vessels remain in active status.