The Groza was a Soviet Guard Ship built in the 1920s and 1930s. Initially assigned to the Baltic Fleet, it was later transferred to the Northern Flotilla. During the Winter War of 1939–1940 against Finland, Groza played a minor role, assisting in troop transport and providing fire support. Throughout World War II, she played a crucial role in Operation Barbarossa, actively supporting Soviet forces and providing escort services to Allied merchant ships from 1942 to 1943. Groza was instrumental in supporting Soviet defenses and fulfilling escort duties, undergoing repairs and modernization from 1943 to 1944. After the war, she was repurposed as a target ship in 1952, later hulked for use as a barracks ship in 1953, and eventually scrapped in the late 1950s.

Groza was introduced in Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy". While not as fast as some other ships and vessels, its speed surpasses that of other armoured gunboats at its BR. Groza features two 102 mm Pattern 1911 turrets, housing what is considered one of the best cannons on a coastal vessel. It fires two types of shells, HE and Shrapnel; however, the latter is somewhat limited, penetrating only 5 mm of armour compared to the HE shell, capable of penetrating 50 mm of armour at close range. Additionally, Groza is equipped with three 37 mm/67 70-K autocannons and two 12.7 mm DShK heavy machine guns, providing extra firepower against boats, vessels, and aircraft. It also boasts a fully-traversable, triple-tube torpedo launcher with three 45-36NU torpedoes capable of easily destroying enemy destroyers. Furthermore, Groza carries up to 12 BB-1 depth charges in case of enemy boats attempting to approach or flank.