After the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941 (Operation Barbarossa), "Mărăști" took part in the Raid on Constanța a few days later and may have damaged a Soviet destroyer leader during the battle. The powerful Soviet Black Sea Fleet heavily outnumbered Axis naval forces in the Black Sea and the Romanian destroyers were limited to escort duties in the western half of the Black Sea during the war. In early 1944 the Soviets were able to cut off and surround the port of Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula; during this time the ship escorted convoys evacuating Axis troops from the port before she ran aground in April. "Mărăști" saw no further action as she was being repaired.