at the decisive battle of tsushima on 27 may 1905, "vladimir monomakh" was positioned to the right side of the russian line of battle, guarding the transports and so avoided the pounding that the other vessels of second pacific squadron received, although she engaged the japanese cruiser . the japanese ship was hit several times and driven off, but only three crewmen were killed and seven wounded. "vladimir monomakh" was hit several times itself and had one 120 mm gun destroyed and its crew killed. the most dangerous hit was a shell that burst over a 6-inch shell hoist and started an ammunition fire. the prompt flooding of the magazine averted an explosion.