Russia initially invested in torpedo-boat destroyers, then stopped building that type. Later vessels retained the destroyer name despite carrying mainly torpedoes and only a few guns. This left them without the gun power to engage comparable craft effectively. The design choice is linked to Russian difficulties in the Russo-Japanese War, especially at the Battle of Tsushima.
Notable Point · 35:14-35:52
Russian torpedo-boat destroyers before Tsushima
Torpedo-heavy Russian destroyers lacked enough guns to fight comparable vessels, a weakness linked to difficulties at Tsushima.