Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday that Russia had achieved a “huge success” in testing its Poseidon nuclear-capable underwater drone, describing the system as a major step in the country’s strategic weapons program, according to Reuters. The test, conducted from a carrier submarine, marked the first time the system’s nuclear power unit was activated, according to Putin. “There is nothing like this,” he stated, emphasizing the uniqueness of the achievement.
Putting the Poseidon’s capabilities in context, Putin noted that its destructive power significantly exceeds that of even Russia’s most advanced Sarmat intercontinental-range missile, which is often referred to as the SATAN II model. The Poseidon, first unveiled in 2018, is designed to travel across oceans at high speeds using nuclear propulsion and carry a massive warhead. Russian officials claim it can create destructive radioactive waves capable of striking coastal targets, though its operational status has not been independently verified.
In addition to the Poseidon, Putin cited progress on other strategic systems, including the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, which Moscow claims can fly indefinitely and evade missile defenses. Russian officials reported a successful test flight of the Burevestnik earlier in the week as part of a broader demonstration of nuclear readiness. The successful Burevestnik test traveled over 8,700 miles, Russia said, a distance that raised eyebrows in Western military circles.
On Monday, President Donald Trump responded to Russia’s recent weapons testing, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that Putin “should end the war in Ukraine, not test missiles.” He added that the U.S. has “a nuclear submarine right off their coast… so it doesn’t have to go 8,000 miles,” and warned that “we’re not playing games with them either.” Trump said that instead of focusing on missile development, Putin “ought to get the war ended… a war that should have taken one week is now in its fourth year.”.
In recent days, Moscow has intensified its offensive in eastern Ukraine, claiming to have seized several frontline villages and to be closing in on the strategic city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Earlier this month, Putin said Russian forces had captured nearly 5,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory since the start of the year — a claim Ukraine disputes. U.S. and NATO officials have not independently confirmed the Poseidon test, and the Pentagon declined to comment.
Despite the potential implications of the test, the United States and its allies have not publicly confirmed the success of the Poseidon demonstration. The Pentagon did not provide a detailed response, but its silence has sparked questions about the credibility of Russia’s claims. Meanwhile, Trump’s comments highlight the growing tension between the U.S. and Russia, with both sides accusing each other of escalating military posturing. This situation raises concerns about the potential for a wider conflict, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.