How Soviet battleships could alter three maritime theatres

Completed Project 21 ships create different operational problems in three maritime theatres. In the Baltic, the Kriegsmarine would have to account for a fast Soviet ship armed with 16-inch guns. Germany had no equivalent surface combatant available in the Black Sea. A northern deployment could let Soviet capital ships take over convoy escort from British battleships near Soviet waters. Bismarck might win an encounter, but the likelihood of serious damage could still change convoy decisions and German willingness to engage.