Russia's 'Doomsday Sub' and Poseidon Drone: Useless Propaganda?

Khabarovsk Submarine: A Flawed Design

• ⚓ Russia's new Khabarovsk nuclear submarine, designed to carry the Poseidon nuclear drone, is facing heavy criticism from defense experts.
• 📉 Analysts suggest the submarine may have reduced buoyancy reserve due to its shorter length compared to Borei-class subs, potentially compromising safety and surfacing capabilities.
• ⚠️ Reports indicate the Khabarovsk might lack missile launch silos for traditional anti-ship cruise missiles, possibly due to space constraints for the Poseidon.
• ❓ The submarine's purpose is questioned, as its range and capabilities don't appear to offer significant advantages over existing Russian submarines.

Poseidon Nuclear Drone: Questionable Existence and Utility

• 🌊 The Poseidon nuclear drone, dubbed a "super torpedo," is claimed by Russia to have a 10,000 km range and the ability to generate tsunamis.
• ❓ Significant unknowns surround the Poseidon, including its targeting data, guidance systems, and whether it's truly capable of its claimed feats.
• 💥 A 2019 incident involving the Losharik submersible resulted in the deaths of 14 sailors, reportedly due to an explosion related to the Poseidon's propulsion system, casting doubt on its readiness.
• 🎯 The practicality of using such a weapon is debated, with concerns that a tsunami-generating nuclear strike near Russian shores could cause more damage to Russia than to an enemy.

Propaganda Over Power Projection

• 📢 Experts suggest that both the Khabarovsk submarine and the Poseidon drone may be more propaganda tools than genuine military assets.
• 🤥 Putin's claims about Russia's military capabilities have been repeatedly contradicted by the realities seen in the war in Ukraine.
• 💡 The timing of the Poseidon announcement is seen by some as a propaganda flex to distract from costly realities and preempt international pressure, rather than a display of actual power.
• 🇺🇸 The weapons appear to be an attempt by Putin to project power against the U.S. that Russia may not possess, raising questions about their ultimate purpose beyond a contest of wills.

Strategic and Financial Doubts

• 💰 The development of the Khabarovsk submarine, which has been in development since at least 2014, may have been originally designed for a different purpose and adapted to fit the Poseidon, leading to wasted expenditure.
• 🚫 If the Poseidon's range is as claimed, a specialized submarine like the Khabarovsk may be unnecessary, as the weapon could potentially be launched from shore facilities.
• ⚠️ The potential for the Poseidon to be a lie or a significantly less capable weapon than advertised raises concerns about Russia's military ambitions and its ability to deliver on its threats.