Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the successful test of a nuclear-capable Poseidon torpedo.
He described the underwater weapon system as impossible to intercept.
Speaking to military personnel wounded in the Ukraine conflict on Tuesday, President Putin characterised the achievement as a significant technological breakthrough for Russia’s underwater drone programme.
The Russian leader confirmed that the test involved launching the device from a submarine carrier and activating its nuclear propulsion system, which operated for a specified duration.
He emphasised the weapon’s superiority, revealing that its power exceeds that of Russia’s Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile system.
The Poseidon torpedo represents a new category of nuclear retaliation weaponry capable of generating radioactive tsunamis that could render entire coastal regions uninhabitable, according to both Russian and American assessments.
Russian military sources have indicated that the weapon can travel at speeds of up to 115 miles per hour beneath the surface whilst operating at depths exceeding 3,000 feet.
The Russian President told the wounded servicemen: “This is a huge success,” asserting that “there is no way to intercept” the underwater drone.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the successful test of a nuclear-capable Poseidon torpedo
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REUTERS
The device utilises nuclear propulsion technology that was successfully activated during Tuesday’s test, marking the first occasion Moscow has demonstrated both the launch mechanism and nuclear power unit functioning together.
This marks the second provocative nuclear weapons test within days, following Russia’s October 21 launch of the Burevestnik missile.
Analysts have nicknamed it the “Flying Chernobyl” due to concerns about potential radioactive contamination across Russian territory.
The escalating tests prompted an angry reaction from Donald Trump, who cautioned that America maintains nuclear submarines positioned near Russian waters.
He described the underwater weapon system as impossible to intercept
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REUTERS
He said: “They’re not playing games with us. We’re not playing games with them either.”
Moscow had previously issued threats about using nuclear torpedoes against Britain.
State media figure declaring last month: “The British say their task is to inflict strategic defeat on us. Well, let them say it from underwater.”
The Royal Navy is set to spend £150million on underwater drones amid the growing threat from Vladimir Putin.
President Putin characterised the achievement as a significant technological breakthrough for Russia’s underwater drone programme
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REUTERS
It is understood that the drones will be used to find mines in conflict zones abroad, as well as any suspicious activity in UK waters.
The Ministry of Defence will first buy up to 24 vessels, although the newly-advertised contract suggests more may be purchased later on.
Although it is not currently known what type of drone the Navy are searching for, various vessels from small underwater gliders to larger, uncrewed submarine-like devices have been tested.
The drones would be purchased as part of the Navy’s mine hunting capability programme, which traditionally has involved crewed ships.
