Moscow (Web Desk): Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia has successfully conducted a test of the "Poseidon," a nuclear-powered super torpedo, which military experts claim has the potential to devastate coastal regions by generating radioactive ocean waves.
This latest development comes amid growing geopolitical tensions, particularly over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
On October 28, Putin confirmed the successful test of Poseidon, marking a significant demonstration of Russia’s nuclear capabilities. This followed previous displays of Russia’s military power, including the successful testing of the "Borei Vistnik" cruise missile on October 21 and nuclear drills on October 22.
These actions were seen as a direct response to increasing international pressure, signaling that Russia remains unyielding in its stance regarding Ukraine.
Named after the ancient Greek god of the sea, Poseidon combines the features of both torpedoes and drones and is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The weapon is designed to travel at remarkable speeds and over long distances, making it a formidable asset for naval warfare.
During a visit to a Moscow hospital where he met with injured Russian soldiers from the Ukraine conflict, Putin shared details of the Poseidon test. He explained that, for the first time, the weapon was successfully launched from a submarine, with its nuclear-powered engine also activated and remaining operational for an extended period. "There is no weapon like it anywhere in the world," Putin declared, adding that no existing defense system can counter the Poseidon’s capabilities.
Experts estimate that Poseidon has a range of 10,000 kilometers and can travel at speeds of up to 185 kilometers per hour. Putin emphasized that the tests of Poseidon and the Borei Vistnik missile were a clear message to the West, reinforcing Russia’s determination to stand firm on the issue of Ukraine and signaling that it would not back down in the face of international pressure.
US President Donald Trump, however, has criticized Russia’s military strategy, calling the country a "paper tiger" and accusing Putin of failing to achieve quick success in Ukraine.
The Poseidon test is a reminder that Russia remains a key player in global military affairs, particularly in the realm of nuclear weaponry. The tests also underscore the importance of taking Moscow’s nuclear arms control proposals seriously on the international stage.
Poseidon represents a new generation of weapons in the ongoing global arms race, which President Putin has characterized as a nuclear weapons competition between Russia, the United States, and China.
According to Russian sources, Poseidon, known as "Kanyon" by NATO, is 20 meters long, 1.8 meters wide, and weighs 100 tons. Arms control experts point out that this weapon challenges traditional norms for nuclear deterrence and classification. They estimate that Poseidon is capable of carrying a 2-megaton warhead, and likely operates on a liquid-metal cooled reactor.
Putin further claimed that Poseidon’s power exceeds that of Russia’s advanced intercontinental missile, the "Sarmat," also known as the SS-X-29 in the West.
He first revealed the Poseidon and Borei Vistnik projects in 2018, arguing that they were developed in response to the United States' withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2001 and NATO’s subsequent eastward expansion, which he viewed as provocations.
Following the successful test of the Borei Vistnik missile, President Donald Trump commented that instead of testing nuclear missiles, Putin should focus on ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.