Russia has successfully carried out a test of its nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered underwater drone “Poseidon,” President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday, in defiance of warnings from US President Donald Trump.
The test marks Moscow’s second demonstration of an advanced nuclear weapons system within days.
Putin had earlier overseen a test of the Burevestnik cruise missile, which he described as having an “unlimited range.” Trump criticised the missile exercise as not “appropriate.”
“Yesterday, another test was conducted for another prospective system—the unmanned underwater device ‘Poseidon,’ also equipped with a nuclear power unit,” Putin stated during a televised visit to a military hospital treating Russian soldiers injured in Ukraine.
According to Putin, the Poseidon drone is unmatched in capability, with “no way to intercept” it. He noted that it can travel faster than traditional submarines and reach any continent. He further asserted, “it is unlikely that anything similar will appear in the near future.”
A source in Russia’s military-industrial complex told state news agency TASS that Poseidon can operate at depths of over one kilometre and reach speeds of up to 70 knots while remaining undetectable. First tested in 2018, it reportedly carries a nuclear warhead of up to two megatons.
In response to Moscow’s continued weapons testing, Trump urged Putin to focus on ending the war in Ukraine, saying, “He ought to get the war (in Ukraine) ended. A war that should have taken one week is now soon in its fourth year. That’s what he ought to do instead of testing missiles.”
The US president recently cancelled a planned summit with Putin in Budapest, citing Russia’s unwillingness to make concessions toward ending the conflict. Washington has also imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, expressing frustration over stalled peace talks.
Putin first unveiled both the Burevestnik and Poseidon systems in a 2018 speech that strongly criticised Western policies.
What You Should Know
The Poseidon underwater drone is one of Russia’s most advanced strategic weapons, capable of carrying nuclear warheads and operating at great depths with high speed.
Its latest successful test underscores growing tensions between Moscow and Washington, as President Trump continues to press Putin for a resolution to the prolonged war in Ukraine.
