Russia's Khabarovsk submarine, a 10,000-tonne vessel purpose-built to carry the Poseidon nuclear torpedo, left port last week for trials in the White Sea. The submarine is designed to deploy devices that are powered by their own nuclear reactors and can detonate an enemy warhead underwater, potentially causing a tsunami on an enemy's coastline.
Poseidon torpedo capabilities
Russian media has reported that the Poseidon torpedoes, 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 Telegraph reports that the Poseidon torpedo has the ability to create a tsunami on an enemy's coastline.
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.
Threat to Britain
Britain could now be under threat, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly been urged to use Poseidon against the island 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 by Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia, and the country has warned Britain 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 doubt use
However, experts say there is little chance of Moscow firing Poseidon in anger. Russia is not making it in large numbers, and it has been designed for worst-case scenarios, said Dr Richard Connolly, an expert on Russian defence policy and an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) military think tank.
"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."
