On 20 March, "Boikiy", accompanied by LSTs "Korolyov", "Minsk" and "Kaliningrad" transited the English Channel unannounced. The significance of the deployment is in the lack of the public announcement of the exit to sea by the Baltic Fleet, as well as strong amphibious component of the ship detachment. The deployment could have simulated keeping the sea lines of communication between Baltic and Black Sea Fleet open in a wartime scenario. Since the mission took place soon after the exercise of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and Tonnerre with the Greek Navy, the deployment could have been meant to relieve the besieged Black Sea Fleet in drills. The 4-ship detachment then separated: "Kaliningrad" and "Korolyov" entered the Mediterranean Sea on 25 March, while "Boikiy" and "Minsk" returned to the Baltic Sea on 27 March.