- Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the successful activation of Russia's "Poseidon" nuclear-powered underwater drone, capable of carrying 2-100 megaton warheads and triggering radioactive tsunamis. The drone is described as unstoppable, with deep-diving (3,000+ feet) and evasion capabilities, posing catastrophic risks to coastal cities and naval operations.
- Russia plans to deploy Oreshnik hypersonic missiles (5,500 km range) in Belarus by year's end—marking the first nuclear-capable missile placement outside Russia since the Cold War. This move threatens NATO's eastern flank and escalates tensions over Ukraine.
- Putin confirmed a successful 15-hour test of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, boasting unlimited range and evasion of traditional defenses. Analysts warn of its radioactive risks and role in asymmetric warfare.
- The announcements coincide with Russia's Ukraine campaign, signaling nuclear dominance to deter NATO. Skepticism remains about operational readiness, but the psychological impact forces NATO to reassess defenses amid expiring arms treaties.
- With New START nearing expiration, Russia's triad of Poseidon, Oreshnik and Burevestnik risks accelerating Cold War-style brinkmanship, challenging global security frameworks and raising questions about Putin's endgame.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the successful activation of Russia's Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater drone, a weapon capable of triggering radioactive tsunamis, alongside the imminent deployment of hypersonic Oreshnik missiles in Belarus—marking a dramatic escalation in Moscow's strategic arsenal amid heightened tensions with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the West.
In a chilling statement, Putin confirmed that Russia had successfully tested the Poseidon nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), describing it as a weapon with unmatched destructive potential.
"Poseidon's power significantly exceeds that of even our most promising Sarmat intercontinental range missile," Putin declared. "There is nothing comparable in the world; it is unlikely anything similar will appear in the near future, and there are no means of interception."
The Poseidon—measuring 65 feet long and weighing 100 tons—can dive deeper than 3,000 feet, evade detection and carry nuclear warheads estimated between two and 100 megatons. Analysts warn that a detonation near a coastal city could devastate infrastructure, irradiate shorelines and cripple naval operations for years.
While Putin framed the test as a propulsion milestone—activating the drone's onboard nuclear reactor mid-mission—Western experts remain skeptical of Russia's operational readiness. The lack of telemetry or independent verification raises concerns that the announcement serves more as psychological warfare than a proven military capability.
Oreshnik hypersonic missiles head to Belarus
Simultaneously, Putin confirmed that Russia's new Oreshnik hypersonic missile system—capable of striking targets up to 5,500 kilometers away—will enter active duty by year's end, with deployments planned for Belarus.
"By the end of this year, the new medium-range missile system with a hypersonic missile Oreshnik will be put on combat duty," Putin announced. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has already signaled that up to 10 Oreshnik systems could be stationed in his country, a move that places NATO's eastern flank within striking distance.
Satellite imagery analyzed by U.S. researchers Jeffrey Lewis and Decker Eveleth suggests that Russia is preparing a former airbase near Krichev, Belarus, to host the missiles. The deployment marks the first time Russia has stationed nuclear-capable missiles outside its borders since the Cold War—a direct response to NATO's expansion and Western military aid to Ukraine.
Adding to the nuclear brinkmanship, Putin also touted the successful test of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile—dubbed "Flying Chernobyl" due to its reactor propulsion—which flew for 15 hours and covered 14,000 kilometers in its final trial.
"The Burevestnik has unlimited range," Putin boasted, calling it a "unique creation that no one else in the world possesses." The missile, designed to bypass traditional missile defenses, underscores Russia's push for asymmetric warfare tools that challenge U.S. and NATO deterrence strategies.
Strategic messaging amid Ukraine War
The timing of these announcements is no coincidence. As Russian forces grind forward in Ukraine, Putin is leveraging new weapons to deter NATO intervention and signal Russia's enduring nuclear dominance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Oreshnik's deployment in Belarus threatens all of Europe, urging sanctions on Russian defense firms. Meanwhile, U.S. analysts caution that while Poseidon and Burevestnik may be technologically unproven, their psychological impact is undeniable—forcing NATO to reassess naval defenses and arms control frameworks.
With the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) nearing expiration and no replacement in sight, Russia's latest moves risk accelerating a new arms race. The Poseidon's potential to bypass missile defenses, combined with Oreshnik's hypersonic speed and Belarusian basing, presents NATO with a layered nuclear threat unlike anything seen since the Cold War.
BrightU.AI's Enoch explains that the New START, signed in 2010, is a bilateral arms control agreement between the United States and Russia that aims to limit and reduce strategic nuclear weapons. It is the fourth and most recent treaty in the START series, following the original START (1991), START II (1993) and the Moscow Treaty (2002). These treaties have sought to limit and reduce strategic nuclear weapons since the end of the Cold War.
As Putin consolidates his nuclear deterrent, one question looms: Is this a calculated bluff—or the prelude to a more dangerous confrontation?
Watch the video below about the Poseidon underwater nuclear drone.
This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.
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