Project 10750 Sapfir, known to NATO as the Lida class, is a Soviet and Russian inshore mine-countermeasures vessel class built for mine clearance in port approaches, naval-base waters, coastal shallows, and rivers. The design combines a fiberglass hull, mine-search sonar, sweep and mine-destruction gear, a 30 mm AK-306 gun, and an Igla-1 self-defense missile fit; RT-233's 2023-2024 fleet movement gives the class a sourced but limited 2014 Russia-Ukraine War connection rather than confirmed combat-loss evidence.
Russian RT-233 ties the class to the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War through Black Sea and Dnieper theater force movement, not a confirmed firing or loss event: KCHF reports RT-233 transferred from the Caspian Flotilla to the Black Sea Fleet in July 2023 and back in 2024, while Defense Express listed two Project 10750 minesweepers among Caspian Flotilla assets potentially suitable for Russia's Dnieper River Flotilla.
Role detailsThe class is built around shallow-water mine countermeasures rather than high-end surface combat. Its compact size, composite hull, mine-search sonar, and stern working area make it useful around harbors, naval bases, river approaches, and coastal routes where larger ships have less room to maneuver.
| Element | Documented fit | Operational purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Hull and signature | Fiberglass hull with double bottom and nine watertight compartments | Supports low-signature mine work in confined waters. |
| Mine search | MG-99A1 Kabarga-A1 mine-search sonar in the hull dome | Detects underwater contacts before sweep or disposal work. |
| Sweep and disposal gear | KIU-1 Luch or KIU-2M Anakonda search-and-destroy equipment, contact, acoustic, electromagnetic, and demolition-cord options | Gives the boat several ways to clear or neutralize mines depending on threat and waterway conditions. |
| Self defense | AK-306 30 mm gun and 9K310 Igla-1 launcher on the domestic fit; Project 10750E data lists a 30 mm AK-306 and different export characteristics | Provides limited close self-protection while the ship performs mine-countermeasure tasks. |
Sources: KCHF.ru: RT-233 Project 10750 / Lida Class; Rosoboronexport: Project 10750E coastal minesweeper; RussianShips.info: Project 10750 inshore minesweeper.
Project 10750 is the Soviet/Russian Sapfir baseline known to NATO as Lida class; Project 10750E is the export coastal-minesweeper branch with different dimensions, sensors, and armament.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Project 10750 Sapfir / Lida class | Domestic Soviet/Russian inshore minesweeper | KCHF and RussianShips.info describe the domestic class with a fiberglass hull, Kabarga-A1 mine-search sonar, AK-306 gun, Igla-1 launcher, and mine-search or sweep equipment. Sources: KCHF.ru: RT-233 Project 10750 / Lida Class, RussianShips.info: Project 10750 inshore minesweeper |
| Project 10750E | Export coastal minesweeper | Rosoboronexport presents Project 10750E as an export coastal minesweeper for anti-mine warfare in ports, naval bases, coastal waters, and depths up to 100 m, with a 169 t full displacement and 32.4 m hull. Sources: Rosoboronexport: Project 10750E coastal minesweeper |
Project 10750 is primarily a mine-countermeasures vessel, but the RT-233 source lists a short-range self-defense missile fit alongside the gun and countermine gear.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Shipboard MANPADS fit | KCHF lists a 9K310 Igla-1 launcher with 32 9M313 missiles among the Project 10750 armament fit. |
The ship that later became associated with the class's 2023-2024 fleet transfers was laid down at Sredne-Nevskiy Shipyard.
Sources: KCHF.ru: RT-233 Project 10750 / Lida Class
RT-233 entered service after launch and sea trials, joining the Russian Navy as an inshore minesweeper.
Sources: KCHF.ru: RT-233 Project 10750 / Lida Class
Open-source reporting described the ship as transferred from the Caspian Flotilla to the Black Sea Fleet during Russian force movement tied to the war.
Sources: KCHF.ru: RT-233 Project 10750 / Lida Class, Defense Express: Dnieper River Flotilla ship acquisition plans
Later reporting described RT-233 back with the Caspian Flotilla after the brief Black Sea Fleet transfer.
Sources: KCHF.ru: RT-233 Project 10750 / Lida Class
