Russian submarines have been a major concern for US commanders for years, as Russia has built one of the world's largest undersea fleets and demonstrated its ability to attack inland targets with new cruise missiles. This is particularly worrying for US military commanders, as they worry that these submarines might increase their power around the world.
A new russian submarine is set to enter service later this year. It will be capable of carrying nuclear-capable torpedoes, according to Russia's state media.
The submarine will be named Belgorod, and it is intended to be used during the war in Ukraine. It is said to be the biggest submarine ever built and can carry a variety of mini-subs. It also has a special compartment for launching "apocalyptic" drones, which will be used to sabotage enemy subs and infrastructure.
Although it is not yet known where the submarine is located, it may be in the Baltic Sea. This area has been the subject of Russian naval strikes on the Nord Stream pipelines. Moscow might find it easier now to sabotage pipelines. This submarine could also be capable in delivering a nuke strike.
The submarine's capabilities are not known, but it could carry a Poseidon missile, which would make it a very dangerous addition to Russia's navy. Other Russian submarines capable of carrying nuclear torpedoes include the Velikiye Liki and St. Petersburg, which both ran into financial and construction difficulties.
Russia has been improving its nuclear submarine capabilities ever since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. It has restructured the submarine fleet, modernized weaponry and built new classes of stealthier and more advanced submarines. These changes and improved nuclear weapons capability have raised Russia's threat levels and bolstered Russia’s military capabilities.
Putin has vowed to intimidate the West in the war in Ukraine by using its nukes, and now it looks like he's taking steps to do so. New footage of a Russian submarine nuclear reactor has been released.
The video was posted on the TV station 'Zvezda', which is run by Russia's Ministry of Defense. It was the first time that a crew had been permitted to film the reactor. Yesterday's show, 'Military Acceptance", screened the footage.
Russia's nuclear subs are extremely vulnerable to attack. As was evident in 1998, when a suicide bomber boarded a Akula-class submarine at Gadzhiyevo's Northern Fleet Base and shot himself. Another terrorist attempted to launch a bomb from a Russian submarine in the Atlantic Ocean in 2001, killing eight sailors.
These are just some of the many dangers Russia's nuclear submarines pose. US commanders are particularly concerned about Russia's Severodvinsk submarines. They have been in use for over a decade and are expanding their global reach rapidly. These submarines are "on par with" the United States's Ohio-class ballistic and guided-missile submarines, says US Air Force General Glen VanHerck, director of US Northern Command and NORAD.