Poseidon: Why Russia's Underwater Nuke Drone Is Called Doomsday Weapon

Last Updated:February 02, 2026, 17:36 IST

Poseidon is believed to be deployed from specialised nuclear submarines, most notably the Belgorod submarine, described as the longest submarine ever built

The weapon is reportedly designed to carry a nuclear warhead with a yield far exceeding those used during the Second World War. (Reuters)

What begins as a calm stretch of ocean can, in theory, transforms into a catastrophic wall of water rising hundreds of metres high, taller than the Eiffel Tower, within minutes. This scenario is often cited by military analysts while describing Poseidon, Russia’s nuclear-powered underwater drone, frequently labelled a “doomsday weapon" in Western defence assessments.

Poseidon, also known by its development name Status-6, is an autonomous, nuclear-powered torpedo designed to detonate beneath the sea near an adversary’s coastline. Defence experts say such an explosion could trigger massive radioactive flooding, rendering large coastal areas uninhabitable for generations. Unlike conventional torpedoes, Poseidon is not launched for short-range naval combat but is intended as a strategic weapon aimed at deterrence through sheer destructive capability.

Russian President Vladimir Putin first publicly revealed the existence of Poseidon in 2018, describing it as part of a new generation of weapons designed to bypass missile defence systems. By 2026, Russian state media and independent analysts alike have described the system as a central element of Russia’s naval nuclear posture, particularly in the context of second-strike capability.

Military analysts say Poseidon blurs traditional definitions of submarines and torpedoes. Powered by a nuclear reactor, it is believed to have near-unlimited range and the ability to operate autonomously for extended periods at depths reportedly reaching around 1,000 metres, well below the effective range of most existing sonar and anti-submarine detection systems. Some estimates suggest it could travel at extremely high speeds underwater, complicating interception efforts.

The weapon is reportedly designed to carry a nuclear warhead with a yield far exceeding those used during the Second World War. While claims of 500-metre-high tsunamis remain theoretical and contested among scientists, experts agree that a large underwater nuclear detonation near a major coastline could cause catastrophic flooding combined with long-lasting radioactive contamination.

Poseidon is believed to be deployed from specialised nuclear submarines, most notably the Belgorod submarine, described as the longest submarine ever built. The Belgorod is reportedly capable of carrying multiple Poseidon drones and has been characterised by analysts as a platform designed specifically for strategic deterrence rather than conventional warfare.

Western defence officials acknowledge that there is currently no dedicated system to counter a weapon like Poseidon. Existing missile defence architectures in the United States and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) are focused on threats travelling through the air or space, not autonomous nuclear systems operating at extreme ocean depths. As a result, Poseidon is widely viewed as a weapon intended to exploit a critical gap in current defence technology.

Strategic analysts say the underlying purpose of Poseidon is not battlefield use but deterrence. In the event of a large-scale nuclear attack on Russia, the system is designed to ensure retaliation by devastating an adversary’s coastal infrastructure, turning ports, cities and economic hubs into radioactive wastelands. Whether Poseidon will ever be deployed in conflict remains unknown, but its existence has already reshaped global debates on nuclear deterrence and underwater warfare.

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