Russia's 10,000-ton Khabarovsk nuclear submarine left port last week for trials in the White Sea, according to reports. The vessel has been purpose-built to carry up to six of the country's doomsday weapons, including the Poseidon nuclear torpedo.
Doomsday weapons and their potential impact
Russian media has reported that the devices, which are powered by their own nuclear reactors, can be released at sea before travelling quietly to a target and detonating their warhead underwater. This has the potential to create a tsunami on an enemy's coastline, the Telegraph reports.
Threats against Britain
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly been urged to use Poseidon against Britain after its decision to supply drones to Ukraine. "Give the British three days to learn to breathe underwater, then hit them with Poseidon," said Vladimir Solovyov, a state TV presenter.
The British-supplied drones were used to strike deep inside Russia. Russia warned Britain on Monday, August 17, that it would pay a "price" after reports of the drone strikes. Russia's embassy in London accused Britain of becoming "an accomplice and co-perpetrator" of the attacks and of "deliberately opting for an escalation" in the conflict.
The UK's Ministry of Defence said in response: "Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin's illegal invasion."
Experts downplay likelihood of use
Experts say there is little chance of Moscow firing Poseidon in anger. Dr Richard Connolly, an expert on Russian defence policy and an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) military think tank, said Russia is not making it in large numbers and it has been designed for worst-case scenarios.
"If they were to do what the Russian TV presenters are proposing, they'd face retaliation from Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent," he said. "So they wouldn't do it, because they know they'd pay a price."
Russia has so far announced plans to acquire at least 30 Poseidon torpedoes and four submarines to carry them. Only the Khabarovsk is thought to have been started so far. The most likely targets would be US, British or French submarine bases.
