A visibly confident Vladimir Putin addressed his political allies as Russia launched its 10,000-tonne “doomsday” nuclear submarine, a vessel capable of wiping out Britain with a massive tsunami. The Russian president appeared full of confidence at the Megasport Sports Palace in Moscow, where he spoke at the 23rd Congress of the ruling United Russia party ahead of September's parliamentary elections.
Putin boasts of stable political system
Putin told his political inner circle that the nation's political system remains “stable” in the face of “external threats”, while Russia's military machine prepares a terrifying tool of destruction. The comments came as a new Russian submarine, which can carry torpedoes capable of causing a tsunami, left port for trials in the White Sea.
The Khabarovsk submarine and Poseidon torpedo
The Khabarovsk submarine, weighing 10,000 tonnes, has been purpose-built to carry Russia's doomsday Poseidon nuclear torpedo. 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. The stealth torpedoes have the ability to create a massive tsunami on an enemy's coastline.
Russia's plans and potential targets
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, with the most likely targets identified as US, British or French submarine bases. Britain could be directly under threat as Putin has reportedly been urged to use Poseidon against the island nation following its decision to supply long-range strike drones to Ukraine.
Moscow's warnings and UK response
State TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov sneered on air: “Give the British three days to learn to breathe underwater, then hit them with Poseidon.” The British-supplied drones were used by Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian territory, prompting Moscow to issue stern warnings that Britain would pay a heavy “price” for the drone strikes. Russia's embassy in London directly accused Britain of becoming “an accomplice and co-perpetrator” of the attacks, claiming the UK was “deliberately opting for an escalation” in the war.
Responding to the chilling rhetoric, the UK's Ministry of Defence maintained a firm stance, saying: “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.”
