VLADIMIR Putin bragged about Russia’s new arsenal of terrifying nuclear weapons that he claims could help his country seize the moon.
The tyrant last night boasted the capabilities of Russia’s nuclear-armed cruise missile and super torpedo, saying the technology behind the strategic weapons can be used for space travel and lunar missions.
Russia’s Burevestnik nuclear-capable missile during a test launchCredit: East2West
Russia’s nuclear-powered Poseidon underwater drone being firedCredit: East2West
Russia’s Poseidon nuclear-capable system is seen in this still image taken from an animated video released Russian MoD
Last week, Putin said Russia had successfully tested the nuclear-capable Burevestnik missile, saying it could evade any defence system.
And yesterday he praised the missile’s speed – more than three times the speed of sound – and its propulsion system of small nuclear reactors, which can be brought into action much more quickly than standard reactors – within seconds.
“The Burevestnik’s range, as is well known, surpasses all missile systems in the world,” he said, as he handed out top medals to scientists who designed his new nuclear Burevestnik and Poseidon missile systems.
“It boasts high target accuracy, which it achieves precisely and reliably within a predetermined time,” Putin added.
He also praised Russia‘s new nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed Poseidon torpedoes that can create a tsunami powerful enough to devastate coastal cities.
Arms control experts say the weapon breaks most of the traditional nuclear deterrence and classification rules.
They have estimated it would carry a two megaton warhead and perhaps is powered with a liquid-metal-cooled reactor.
Putin said Poseidon’s power exceeded that of “even our most promising Sarmat intercontinental-range missile”, which is known as SS-X-29, or Satan II.
“There is nothing like this in the world in terms of the speed and the depth of the movement of this unmanned vehicle — and it is unlikely there ever will be,” he added.
The dictator said the small-scale nuclear technologies used in both the Burevestnik and the Poseidon were particularly useful for work in the Arctic and for space travel and, eventually, for building a station on the moon.
He said: “A new generation of weapons is already being developed based on such power plants.
“Moreover, development of the next generation of nuclear-powered cruise missiles has begun.
“Their speed will be more than three times the speed of sound, and in the future, even hypersonic.
“The result you have achieved has, with no exaggeration, historic significance for our people for ensuring security and strategic parity for decades to come and, we can boldly say, for the entire 21st century,” Putin said in comments reported by Russian news agencies.
He said a Nato warship had been in the vicinity when the missile was being tested.
“I believe foreign specialists were also able to verify this, as a Nato reconnaissance ship was constantly present in the area during the Burevestnik test on October 21.
“We did not interfere with its operation. Let them see.”
Khabarovsk is seen in full size for the first time in satellite imageryCredit: x.com/planesandstuff
The Khabarovsk nuclear submarine is seen during launches at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvindk, Russia
Russia has been aggressively testing its nuclear arsenal in the past few weeks.
Satellite pictures emerged showing Russia’s new nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching Poseidon torpedoes.
The Khabarovsk-class submarine, Moscow’s latest nuclear asset that can fire devastating nuclear weapons, is shown in full size for the first time.
The hulking vessel can be seen docked at the Sevmash shipyard workshop, where new submarines of Project 09851 are being assembled.
The in the northern city of Severodvinsk – five years behind schedule after unexplained delays.
The submarine is powered by a nuclear engine and can dive to depths of around 500 meters, remaining at sea for months.
Defence analysts estimate the 10,000-ton vessel can carry up to a dozen Poseidons.
Its construction cost, shrouded in secrecy, is believed to exceed £1 billion.
The Khabarovsk submarine shares much of its design with Russia’s Borei-class strategic submarines, but unlike them, it carries no ballistic missiles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an award ceremony marking the National Unity Day at the Kremlin in MoscowCredit: EPA
Instead, it is purpose-built for special operations and the deployment of nuclear-powered underwater drones, in a shift that signals the Kremlin’s growing obsession with unconventional strategic systems.
Photos released by Russia’s Defence Ministry showed only the rear of the vessel, with a partially covered pump-jet propulsion system resembling those on the Borei-A class subs.
A second submarine of the same class, the Ulyanovsk, is already under construction and expected to join the Pacific Fleet.
Together, they would give Moscow a dual-ocean capability to deploy the Poseidon system, in a move Western analysts say is designed to project fear on both sides of the globe.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said: “The heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Khabarovsk is being launched from the renowned Sevmash shipyard.
“Carrying underwater weapons and robotic systems, it will enable us to successfully secure Russia’s maritime borders and protect its national interests in various parts of the world’s oceans.”
Belousov said the submarine will now begin sea trials before joining the nuclear deterrent fleet.
New arms race
By Sayan Bose, Foreign News Reporter
Last week, President Donald Trump ordered the US military to for the first time in three decades.
America’s sabre-rattling follows aggressive nuclear testing by the Russians and China‘s rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal.
Trump made the announcement just before meeting Xi Jinping for – and said the testing would be on an equal basis with Russia and China.
He said that while the US has the biggest nuclear arsenal in the world, Russia is second, and China is a distant third – but will be even “within five years.”
The US military already regularly tests its missiles that are capable of delivering a nuclear warhead, but it has not detonated the weapons since 1992 because of a test ban.
But the president suggested that changes were necessary because other countries were testing weapons.
It was unclear what he was referring to, but it evoked Cold War-era escalations and a nuclear arms race.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.”
“The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office.
“Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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