The six cruisers were built as evolving pairs rather than as one unchanged design. Project 26 identifies the first pair, 26-bis the second, and 26-bis2 the third. Each suffix signals another batch or generation within the broader Kirov family. This English shorthand is a guide to the sequence rather than a literal Russian translation. It helps keep later changes in protection, range, and construction location attached to the correct ships.
Notable Point · 11:22-12:12
How Project 26, 26-bis, and 26-bis2 divide the class
The Soviet project suffixes provide a useful shorthand for the three successive two-ship batches.