The Imperatritsa Mariya-class discussion points to Russian dreadnoughts that appear more heavily armoured than some comparisons would suggest. They were specifically Black Sea ships rather than generic fleet battleships. Their framing and construction choices make them more lightly built in some respects than the Gangut class, despite the apparent armour emphasis. Capital-ship characteristics need to be read against theatre, structure, and intended employment instead of one headline measure.
Notable Point · 2:40:20-2:41:14
Reading a Russian dreadnought in its Black Sea setting
A brief comparison notes that Russian dreadnought designs could be more heavily armoured while still reflecting their Black Sea role.