In October 1853, the Crimean War broke out between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, and in the early stages of the conflict the ships still in active service were used to carry Russian soldiers to the Caucasus. Several of the vessels were to have joined Pavel Nakhimov's squadron that saw action at the Battle of Sinop in November, but storm damage to the vessels forced them to return to port for repairs. Despite none of the members of the class having taken part in the battle, the action nevertheless led to all of their ultimate demise, as pro-war parties in Britain and France used the attack on Sinop as justification to intervene on behalf of the Ottomans. A powerful Anglo-French fleet entered the Black Sea, and the Russians, who wished to avoid directly attacking British and French forces in favor of a negotiated settlement, withdrew the Black Sea Fleet to Sevastopol.