The 1991 guide describes a slight decline in the number of Soviet amphibious ships while additional landing ships were still under construction in Poland. Political and economic changes there made further construction uncertain. Large air-cushion landing craft and wing-in-ground-effect vehicles were increasing short-range amphibious capacity. Apart from the Ivan Rogov class, the large landing ships described had been built in Poland. Published troop capacities counted the personnel for whom berths were provided, so ships could carry more troops on short crossings when everyone did not require a sleeping place.
Notable Point · 3:32:52-3:33:51
Soviet amphibious capacity and the limits of listed troop numbers
A 1991 fleet assessment separates ship numbers from short-range lift and explains why berth counts can understate troops carried on brief crossings.