Kiev is the first aircraft of the former USSR Kiev-Class carriers. The keel was laid on in July of 1970 In May 1975,kiev officially joined in the USSR Navy on its active duty in the former USSR Pacific Fleet. There are eight missile launchers located on the head of the deck along with a number of other functional missile launchers on the four sides of upper deck. The carrier is also equipped with four 76mm conventional guns which make it so different from the U.S.Navy Ships. Kiev is the first aircraft carrier that carries that carries the vertical and short-distance take-off fighters.