In a move that underscores Moscow’s renewed emphasis on strategic deterrence and underwater warfare, Russia has officially launched its newest nuclear submarine, Khabarovsk, designed to carry the Poseidon underwater nuclear drone—a weapon some have labeled the “doomsday missile.” The submarine’s unveiling at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk marks a major milestone in Russia’s naval modernization program, drawing global attention and concern over the escalation of nuclear-capable platforms.
The launch ceremony was led by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, attended by Russian Navy Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev and senior shipbuilding officials. “Today marks a significant event for us — the heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Khabarovsk is being launched from the stern of the renowned Sevmash,” Belousov declared during his televised address. His remarks emphasized the submarine’s role in strengthening Russia’s maritime security and asserting its naval presence across global waters.
A Submarine Built for the Future of Underwater Warfare
The Khabarovsk, developed by the Rubin Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering, represents one of Russia’s most secretive and advanced underwater platforms to date. The vessel is specifically built to deploy the Poseidon (Status-6) nuclear drone—a torpedo-like unmanned underwater vehicle said to be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead of up to 100 megatons, enough to trigger massive radioactive tsunamis along coastal cities.
According to Russia’s Ministry of Defence, the submarine is part of a new generation of strategic underwater assets designed for multi-mission capabilities. It can carry both conventional and nuclear payloads and operate independently for extended periods. The Sevmash shipyard, which previously retrofitted India’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, is known for constructing some of Russia’s most advanced submarines, including the Borei and Yasen classes.
The Khabarovsk is expected to become the lead vessel in a new class of submarines dedicated to carrying the Poseidon drone system. Russian business daily Kommersant reported that these submarines will form the core of Russia’s new underwater nuclear deterrent, designed to operate deep beneath the world’s oceans and remain undetectable until launch.
The Poseidon Drone: Russia’s ‘Doomsday Missile’
At the heart of the Khabarovsk’s design lies the Poseidon, an autonomous, nuclear-powered underwater drone that can travel at intercontinental ranges. First unveiled by President Vladimir Putin in 2018, the Poseidon was presented as a revolutionary weapon capable of bypassing traditional missile defense systems by operating deep underwater and striking coastal targets directly.
Unlike conventional submarine-launched ballistic missiles, Poseidon is designed to move silently across ocean depths, deliver devastating nuclear payloads, and create tsunamis capable of rendering entire coastal regions uninhabitable. The system’s compact nuclear reactor allows it to operate indefinitely underwater, providing what Russian officials describe as a weapon of “unlimited range.”
Just last week, Moscow announced the successful test of the Poseidon drone, which was reportedly launched from a “mother submarine” and powered by a miniaturized nuclear propulsion unit. President Putin personally confirmed the test, describing it as a “technological breakthrough” and a significant addition to Russia’s strategic arsenal.
Global Alarm and Skepticism
While Russian officials hailed the submarine’s launch as a major achievement, the development has drawn mixed reactions abroad. Western analysts and military experts have expressed deep concern over the implications of such a system, describing it as a potential destabilizing force in global strategic stability.
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, called Poseidon a true “doomsday missile,” while Andrei Kartapolov, chair of the Duma’s Defence Committee, went further—claiming it could “wipe out entire coastal nations.”
Outside Russia, however, many defense experts remain skeptical. They question whether Poseidon can deliver on its advertised capabilities, particularly in terms of range, speed, and command control. Critics argue that maintaining communication with an autonomous nuclear device traveling deep underwater poses enormous technical and strategic challenges. Others warn that such a weapon risks severe environmental fallout if ever used.
Symbol of Power and Defiance
Despite doubts, the Khabarovsk’s launch sends a clear geopolitical signal. For Russia, the Poseidon system and its carrier submarines symbolize technological resilience and deterrence in the face of Western sanctions and NATO’s growing presence along its borders. By fielding an entirely new class of underwater nuclear drones, Moscow aims to maintain a second-strike capability that ensures its deterrence remains credible—even if traditional assets are compromised.
Analysts see the move as part of Russia’s broader strategy to modernize its nuclear triad and expand into unconventional deterrence domains, including autonomous and AI-driven systems. Together with hypersonic weapons like the Avangard and Kinzhal, the Poseidon forms what Moscow calls its “strategic super-weapons”—a portfolio intended to restore parity with the United States amid rising global tensions.
A New Chapter in Naval Nuclear Strategy
The Khabarovsk and its Poseidon drones could fundamentally alter the dynamics of underwater warfare. Their combination of stealth, autonomy, and destructive potential pushes the boundaries of deterrence theory—raising questions about command control, escalation, and the environmental consequences of nuclear-powered robotics.
While it remains unclear when Khabarovsk will enter full operational service, its launch underscores Russia’s ambition to redefine the limits of naval strategy. Whether seen as a technological triumph or a step closer to a new Cold War-style arms race, one fact is undeniable: the world’s oceans are becoming the next frontier of nuclear deterrence.
The Khabarovsk, with its “doomsday” drone, embodies both Russia’s fear and its pride—a weapon meant not just to defend its shores, but to remind the world that the shadow of the nuclear age is far from over.
