Fact Check: Russia has Poseidon torpedo

Fact Check: "Russia has Poseidon torpedo"

What We Know

The Poseidon, also known by its Russian codename Status-6, is an autonomous, nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle developed by the Rubin Design Bureau. It is capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear warheads and was publicly announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 1, 2018, as part of Russia's new nuclear weapons program (Wikipedia). The first test-launch of the Poseidon reportedly occurred on November 27, 2016, using the B-90 Sarov submarine, and the Russian Navy has since stated plans to procure at least 30 of these vehicles (Wikipedia).

In January 2023, Russian media claimed that the first set of Poseidon nuclear torpedoes had been produced and would be deployed on the Belgorod nuclear submarine (TASS). However, there has been no official confirmation from the Russian government regarding the operational status of these torpedoes or their deployment.

Analysis

The claim that Russia has the Poseidon torpedo is partially true. While there is evidence that the Poseidon system has been developed and tested, the operational status and deployment of these torpedoes remain unclear. Reports indicate that the Russian military has produced the first batch of Poseidon torpedoes, but there are conflicting accounts about whether these torpedoes are equipped with nuclear warheads or are merely prototypes for testing purposes (TASS, The Drive).

Moreover, the credibility of Russian media reports is often questioned due to potential state influence and propaganda. For instance, while Russian sources assert that the Poseidon can create massive tidal waves and cause significant destruction, independent assessments suggest that the actual impact of underwater nuclear detonations may not align with these claims (Newsweek, CIMSEC).

Additionally, NATO officials have indicated that they have not observed significant changes in Russia's nuclear deployment capabilities, which raises questions about the operational readiness of the Poseidon system (The Drive).

Conclusion

The verdict on the claim that "Russia has Poseidon torpedo" is Partially True. While the development and testing of the Poseidon system have been confirmed, the lack of clear evidence regarding its operational deployment and capabilities means that the claim cannot be fully substantiated. The situation remains fluid, and ongoing developments should be monitored for further clarity.