 "Russia's Poseidon nuclear-capable system is seen in this still image taken from an animated video released on July 19, 2018. Image/Russian Defence Ministry via Reuters")
Russia has formally launched its latest nuclear-powered submarine, Project 09851 Khabarovsk, a long-delayed and highly secretive underwater vessel designed to carry the Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater drone — a system often referred to as the “doomsday missile.”
The event, held at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, was attended by senior military officials, shipbuilders, and design engineers, marking what Russian leadership has described as a significant step in modernising the country’s naval nuclear deterrent.
The Khabarovsk is now set to become the first operational carrier of the Poseidon underwater weapon — a nuclear-capable, autonomous torpedo designed for strategic deterrence through long-range, high-speed, deep-water operation.
Its launch comes shortly after Russia conducted successful tests of both the Poseidon and the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, amidst heightened tensions with the United States and its allies.
What we know about the launch at Severodvinsk
The launch ceremony at Sevmash — Russia’s primary shipbuilding complex for nuclear submarines — was supervised by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, who described it as a historic milestone.
“Today is a significant event for us — the large nuclear missile submarine Khabarovsk is being launched from the slipway of the famous Sevmash,” he said during the televised ceremony.
Belousov, joined by Russian Naval Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev and top shipbuilding officials, stated that the Khabarovsk will “help secure Russia’s maritime borders and defend the country’s national interests in the global ocean.”
Belousov said that the vessel’s nuclear propulsion and modern underwater weapons would enable the navy to “successfully ensure the security of its maritime borders and protect its national interests in various regions of the world’s oceans.”
The Khabarovsk’s development has been underway for more than a decade. The submarine’s construction contract was signed in 2012, with the vessel officially laid down at Sevmash on July 27, 2014.
Initial plans targeted a 2018 launch, but multiple delays — attributed to technical challenges and shifting naval priorities — pushed the timeline back several years.
According to Russian defence planners, Khabarovsk is the lead boat of Project 09851, with a related series, Project 09853, envisioned to follow as the production carriers of the Poseidon system between 2028 and 2035.
There has been no official update on the status of these subsequent submarines.
The Rubin Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering, one of Russia’s oldest and most experienced naval design institutions, led the engineering work on the project.
Rubin has also designed most of the country’s ballistic missile submarines and earlier undertook the modernisation of the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier for India — an example often cited as Sevmash’s major success in international defence cooperation.
What is known about the Khabarovsk
While the Russian Ministry of Defence has kept exact specifications classified, information from industry sources and open intelligence estimates provides a basic understanding of the Khabarovsk’s design and capabilities.
The submarine reportedly measures approximately 113 metres in length, with a beam exceeding 10 metres and an underwater displacement close to 10,000 tonnes.
It is powered by a nuclear reactor, allowing for virtually unlimited range and the ability to remain submerged for 90 to 120 days without surfacing.
The submarine’s maximum submerged speed is estimated at 30-32 knots. Unlike traditional attack submarines, Khabarovsk is intended for a unique role — serving as a carrier platform for up to six Poseidon underwater drones.
In addition to these, it is believed to be equipped with standard torpedo tubes for self-defence.
Following its launch, Khabarovsk will undergo outfitting and a series of sea trials expected to span several years before it is fully operational.
Moscow has indicated that the submarine will form part of Russia’s special-purpose underwater fleet once testing is complete.
The Russian Defence Ministry described Khabarovsk as a vessel intended “to address Navy missions using modern underwater weapons, including robotic systems for various purposes.”
Officials have highlighted its role in strengthening Russia’s ability to operate in deep-sea environments and support long-range deterrence operations.
What we know of the Poseidon: Russia’s “doomsday missile”
The Khabarovsk’s primary weapon, the Poseidon (also known by its Russian designation Status-6), is an unmanned underwater vehicle powered by a miniature nuclear reactor.
The system combines the characteristics of a torpedo and an underwater drone, giving it the potential to travel across intercontinental distances while submerged.
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed last week that Russia had successfully conducted a test of the Poseidon from a submarine, during which its onboard nuclear reactor was activated and sustained underwater propulsion for an extended period.
“For the first time, we managed not only to launch it with a launch engine from a carrier submarine, but also to launch the nuclear power unit on which this device passed a certain amount of time,”
Putin said. He added, “There is nothing like this.”
Analysts believe the Poseidon could travel at speeds up to 185 kilometres per hour (about 100 knots) and has an operational range of around 10,000 kilometres. It can carry either a conventional or nuclear warhead and operate at extreme ocean depths.
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev referred to the Poseidon as the “Doomsday missile,” a nickname also echoed by state-run media outlets.
Andrei Kartapolov, Chair of the Duma Defence Committee, described the weapon as “capable of wiping out whole coastal nations.”
Business daily Kommersant reported that “the Poseidon is capable of exceeding the speed of submarines and modern torpedoes, travelling at great depths and over intercontinental distances. The Khabarovsk-class submarines are expected to be the primary carriers of this weapon.”
According to official statements, the Poseidon’s compact nuclear propulsion system is roughly “100 times smaller than the reactor of a strategic submarine,” giving it immense range while reducing space requirements on the carrier vessel.
The system is also reportedly designed to evade detection by operating at depths and speeds beyond the capability of most current underwater tracking technologies.
Burevestnik: The other nuclear test in focus
In parallel with Poseidon, Russia recently tested another nuclear-powered weapon system — the Burevestnik cruise missile. Unlike conventional missiles, the Burevestnik is equipped with a nuclear reactor that allows it to remain airborne indefinitely before striking its target.
Putin announced on October 21 that Russia had successfully conducted a test of the Burevestnik, followed by large-scale nuclear drills involving all three components of Russia’s nuclear triad — land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and air-launched nuclear cruise missiles.
The timing of these demonstrations has drawn attention from Western defence observers, who interpret them as a signal of Russia’s willingness to highlight its nuclear capabilities amid mounting sanctions from the United States and its allies.
What Putin is signalling to Trump & Co.
US President Donald Trump’s administration recently announced new sanctions targeting Russia’s oil sector, while also calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Putin has responded by reinforcing his nuclear rhetoric. During a series of public appearances in late October, he presided over nuclear command exercises and received reports on the Burevestnik’s successful test while dressed in military fatigues.
He reiterated Russia’s readiness to use “all means” to defend its national interests and warned against Western-supplied long-range weapons being used by Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian territory, promising a “very serious, if not to say stunning,” response should that occur.
“It’s an attempt to exert pressure on Russia, but no self-respecting country and self-respecting people make any decisions under pressure,” Putin declared, referring to US sanctions.
Putin also endorsed the Duma’s decision to withdraw from a 2000-era agreement with the United States on disposing of Cold War-era plutonium stockpiles, citing “new anti-Russian steps that radically change the strategic balance.”
Trump, responding to questions about Russia’s nuclear tests, criticised the emphasis on weapons development amid the ongoing war. He also called for nuclear tests in the US.
“You’ve got to get the war ended, a war that should have taken one week is now in its soon fourth year. That’s what you ought to do, instead of testing missiles,” he said.
He also noted that the United States maintains “a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shores,” suggesting Washington has no need to escalate nuclear competition.
Western experts have expressed skepticism about the long-term viability of nuclear-propelled missiles, citing the enormous technical challenges and environmental risks.
Some analysts have referred to the Burevestnik as a “flying Chernobyl” due to its radiation hazard potential.
Nonetheless, Russia has continued to invest in these systems, arguing that they represent the next evolution of strategic deterrence.
The Kremlin portrays Poseidon and Burevestnik as defensive tools intended to ensure parity with Western missile defence systems and to guarantee Russia’s ability to retaliate under any scenario.
With inputs from agencies