The 10,000-tonne vessel is designed to deploy weapons reportedly capable of triggering tsunamis on enemy coastlines.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been urged to strike the UK (Image: Getty)
A new Russian submarine, capable of carrying torpedoes that could trigger a tsunami, departed port last week for trials in the White Sea.
The Khabarovsk submarine, weighing in at 10,000 tonnes, has been specifically constructed to carry Russia’s devastating Poseidon nuclear torpedo.
Russian media reports that the weapons, powered by their own nuclear reactors, can be launched at sea before silently making their way towards a target and detonating their warhead beneath the waves.
The Poseidon torpedo reportedly possesses the capability to generate a tsunami along an enemy’s coastline.
Russia has already announced its intention to acquire at least 30 Poseidon torpedoes and four submarines to transport them.
In this image made from video provided by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, The Khabarovsk nuclear submarine is seen during launches at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvindk, Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) (Image: AP)
Only the Khabarovsk is believed to have been started so far, with the most likely targets being US, British or French submarine bases.
Britain may now find itself in the crosshairs after Russian President Vladimir Putin was reportedly urged to deploy the Poseidon against the nation following its decision to supply drones to Ukraine.
“Give the British three days to learn to breathe underwater, then hit them with Poseidon,” said Vladimir Solovyov, a state TV presenter.
British-supplied drones were utilised by Ukraine to strike deep within Russian territory, prompting Moscow to warn Britain it would pay a “price” following reports of the attacks.
Russian embassy in London (Image: Getty)
Russia’s London embassy accused Britain of becoming “an accomplice and co-perpetrator” of the strikes and of “deliberately opting for an escalation” in the conflict.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence responded: “Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion.”
However, experts suggest there is minimal likelihood of Moscow deploying Poseidon in a hostile manner.
Russia is not producing it in substantial quantities and it has been developed for worst-case scenarios, according to Dr Richard Connolly, an authority on Russian defence policy and an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) military think tank.
“If they were to do what the Russian TV presenters are proposing, they’d face retaliation from Britain’s Trident nuclear deterrent,” he said.
“So they wouldn’t do it, because they know they’d pay a price.”