"Gromoboi" came under control of the Soviet Red Fleet in September 1917. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk required the Soviets to evacuate their base at Helsinki in March 1918 or have them interned by newly independent Finland even though the Gulf of Finland was still frozen over. "Gromoboi" sailed to Kronstadt in what became known as the 'Ice Voyage' and was placed into reserve shortly after her arrival.