Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday that Russia successfully tested the Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo. He called the test a “huge success” and said it exceeded expectations. The test took place on Tuesday and marked a major step in Russia’s military capabilities.
Putin said the Poseidon is an autonomous torpedo capable of carrying nuclear weapons. It can create radioactive ocean swells that may make coastal cities uninhabitable. Few technical details are publicly available, but Putin emphasized its unprecedented power. He compared it to Russia’s Sarmat intercontinental missile, also called Satan II.
Read more: Putin directs drills of Russian nuclear forces
The Poseidon’s power, Putin said, surpasses even the Sarmat missile. He highlighted that this test involved both launching from a submarine and activating the nuclear power unit. Putin said, “There is nothing like this,” signaling its unique strategic potential. He praised the military engineers for achieving the milestone.
This announcement follows other recent nuclear advancements. Last week, Russia conducted a nuclear launch drill. On Sunday, Putin said Russia successfully tested the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile. Moscow presents both weapons as responses to U.S. missile defense initiatives and NATO expansion.
Read more: Putin ends US Plutonium deal amid rising tensions
Putin made the announcement while visiting wounded Russian soldiers at a Moscow hospital. Analysts see the Poseidon as part of Russia’s growing emphasis on next-generation nuclear weapons. The tests reinforce Moscow’s strategic deterrence messaging amid rising global tensions.