Warships enter the Baltic
Russia has sent two warships into the Baltic Sea in recent days, according to German journalists cited in a report by RBC-Ukraine. The destroyer Admiral Levchenko entered the Baltic a few days ago, and the day before, the frigate Admiral Kasatonov was spotted in the same waters. The frigate, commissioned in 2020 and belonging to the Admiral Gorshkov class, is reportedly capable of launching Kalibr and Zircon cruise missiles, according to Russian sources cited in the report. It was recently deployed to provide security and escort Russian cargo ships in the Mediterranean Sea and the English Channel, the report said.
The deployment of the ships followed public threats by President Vladimir Putin against Western countries, according to the same report. Putin threatened Ukraine's allies with reciprocal measures in response to sanctions against what has been described as Russia's 'shadow fleet'. In remarks quoted in the report, Putin said of European Union proposals to seize Russian ships: 'Recently (in the European Union—ed.), they've come up with the idea of seizing our ships and selling off property looted from us. Clearly, this is nothing less than piracy and robbery. And if this begins to be implemented in practice, we will be forced to respond in kind.'
The moves appear designed to create uncertainty and raise the cost of Western actions against Russia's shadow fleet, according to maritime security expert Moritz Brake, who commented on the Kremlin leader's decisions. Brake's assessment, reported by RBC-Ukraine, frames the warship movements as a strategic response to Western pressure rather than an immediate military escalation.
Submarine trials and the Poseidon torpedo
Separately, a new Russian submarine, the Khabarovsk, departed port last week for trials in the White Sea, as reported by the Daily Express. The 10,000-tonne vessel has been constructed to carry Russia's Poseidon nuclear torpedo. Russian media reports, cited in the article, say the weapon is powered by its own nuclear reactor, can be launched at sea, and can silently make its way to a target before detonating beneath the waves. The Poseidon torpedo reportedly has the capability to generate a tsunami along an enemy's coastline.
Russia has announced its intention to acquire at least 30 Poseidon torpedoes and four submarines to transport them, according to the same report. Only the Khabarovsk is believed to have been started so far, with the most likely targets being US, British, or French submarine bases, the report said.
The report also noted that Putin was reportedly urged to deploy the Poseidon against Britain following its decision to supply drones to Ukraine. State TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov was quoted as saying: 'Give the British three days to learn to breathe underwater, then hit them with Poseidon.' The comments came amid heightened tensions after British-supplied drones were used by Ukraine to strike deep within Russian territory, prompting Moscow to warn Britain it would pay a 'price'.
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, according to the Daily Express report.
Expert caution on escalation
Responding to the threats, the UK's Ministry of Defence said: '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.'
Despite the alarming rhetoric, experts caution that the most extreme scenarios are unlikely to materialise. Dr Richard Connolly, quoted in the Daily Express report, said there is minimal likelihood of Moscow deploying Poseidon in a hostile manner, noting that Russia is not producing the weapon in substantial quantities and has developed it for worst-case scenarios. 'If they were to do what the Russian TV presenters are proposing, they'd face retaliation from Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent,' he said.
The combination of warship movements into the Baltic and the submarine trials underscores a pattern of Russian signalling aimed at the West. While the immediate purpose appears to be raising the stakes over sanctions and military support for Ukraine, analysts suggest the most destructive capabilities remain a last-resort option rather than an imminent threat.