The Belgorod submarine will be able to carry the groundbreaking Poseidon strategic weapon which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced last month. During his address to the country’s Federal Assembly, Putin described the development of an underwater drone which as he put it, “nothing in the world could withstand”. Commenting on the new submarine, Carl Bildt, co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, regarded it as a “very special ship”.

The Poseidon drone can reportedly cause deadly tsunamis and can carry both nuclear and conventional missiles.

Speaking on the missile during his speech earlier this year Putin said: “It is really fantastic.

“They are quiet, highly manoeuvrable and have hardly any vulnerabilities for the enemy to exploit.

“There is simply nothing in the world capable of withstanding them.”

The weapon is expected to be incorporated by the end of 2020 as Russia looks to increase its military arsenal.

According to Russia’s news agency, TASS, the drone will have an unlimited range and will be able to operate one kilometre under water.

There have also been reports that the warhead is capable of exploding with a force of 200 megatons of TNT.

If true, that would make it four times as powerful as the Tsar Bomba, the most powerful nuclear weapon ever created.

Speaking earlier this year on the potential damage of the drone, Dr Mark Schneider senior analyst at the National Institute for Public Policy claimed the weapon’s strength could be devastating.

He said: “If used against major US ports, it could kill millions in each attack.

“I have called it ‘insane’ because there is no way to limit damage from its use and no way to safely test it.

“Putin is a dangerous man.”

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