Under the overall command of Admiral Zinovy Rozhestvensky, "Izumrud" was part of the Second Pacific Squadron intended to relieve the Japanese siege of Port Arthur. Captained by Commander Vasili Fersen, she participated in the decisive Battle of Tsushima from 27–28 May 1905. At the end of the battle, Fersen refused to obey the order of Admiral Nikolai Nebogatov to surrender, and used her speed to escape through the Japanese blockade. However, on the night of 28 May, she ran aground in Vladimir Bay in the Russian Maritime Province. She was destroyed by explosive charges set by her crew, who later reached Vladivostok by land.