Putin announces successful test of nuclear-capable drone
Russia has successfully tested a nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered underwater drone, President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday, marking Moscow’s second demonstration of advanced nuclear weapons technology in just a few days.
The test comes amid heightened tensions with the United States, following warnings from former US President Donald Trump.
Putin revealed the latest test during a visit to a military hospital treating Russian soldiers wounded in Ukraine. The drone, named Poseidon, is an unmanned underwater vehicle powered by a nuclear reactor, designed to travel at high speeds and operate at extreme depths while remaining largely undetectable.
Poseidon’s capabilities
According to Putin, the Poseidon drone has no known countermeasures, making it “impossible to intercept.” He emphasized that the drone can reach any continent in the world, outpacing conventional submarines in speed and depth. “It is unlikely that anything similar will appear in the near future,” Putin added.
A source from Russia’s military-industrial complex told state news agency TASS that the device can operate at depths of over one kilometre (0.6 mile) and travel at speeds of up to 70 knots, carrying a nuclear warhead with a yield of up to two megatons. First tested in 2018, Poseidon represents one of Russia’s most advanced strategic weapons systems.
Recent tests of advanced Russian weapons
The Poseidon announcement follows Sunday’s test of the Burevestnik cruise missile, another nuclear-capable weapon described by Putin as having an “unlimited range.” The missile test drew sharp criticism from Trump, who said the exercise was “not appropriate” and called on Putin to focus on ending the ongoing war in Ukraine instead.
“He ought to get the war ended. A war that should have taken one week is now soon in its fourth year,” Trump said after the missile test. Trump had also canceled a planned summit with Putin in Budapest, citing the Russian leader’s unwillingness to compromise to end the conflict.
International reactions and context
The Poseidon and Burevestnik tests highlight Russia’s continued development of strategic nuclear weapons despite international concerns. Western governments have closely monitored these tests, which experts say could alter the balance of naval and nuclear capabilities globally.
Last week, Washington imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, criticizing Putin for stalling peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. The sanctions aim to pressure Moscow into negotiating a resolution to the conflict, but tensions remain high.
Russia’s long-term weapons development
Putin first announced the development of both the Poseidon drone and the Burevestnik missile during an anti-Western speech in 2018. These weapons are part of Russia’s broader effort to modernize its military arsenal and maintain strategic parity with the United States and NATO countries.
Experts say Poseidon’s ability to operate undetected at high speeds and extreme depths, combined with its nuclear payload, represents a significant escalation in underwater nuclear capability. Analysts warn that such technology could shift strategic deterrence calculations and pose serious challenges for global security frameworks.
