Russia Developing Seabed Nuclear Missiles, German Investigation Finds
The report says the secret Skif program could hide nuclear-capable missiles for months and launch them remotely from the ocean floor.
- On yesterday, NATO intelligence and German broadcasters WDR and NDR reported that Russia is developing a secret program codenamed Skif, which allegedly deploys nuclear-capable missiles in specialized silos on the Arctic seabed.
- Moscow reportedly initiated the classified project to counter the United States space-based 'Golden Dome' ABM system. Analysts note the seabed deployment aims to maintain nuclear deterrence while bypassing satellite-based interception platforms.
- Western intelligence indicates Russia could use the 96-meter transport ship Zvezdochka and the experimental submarine Sarov to emplace containers at depths up to 50 meters. The systems remain dormant for months before launching remotely.
- NATO responded by organizing the Arctic Sentry monitoring initiative to track Russian maneuvers. The seabed deployment potentially violates the 1971 Seabed Arms Control Treaty, which prohibits placing nuclear weapons on the ocean floor.
- While former Russian commander Viktor Bondarev claimed in 2017 that such missiles are part of the arsenal, Moscow has not publicly confirmed the classified program. Independent verification remains uncertain.
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18 Articles
Russia’s secret “Skythen” project would station nuclear missiles on seabed, German media report
Russia is working on a secret military project codenamed "Skythen" to station nuclear missiles on the seabed, German broadcasters WDR and NDR reported on 21 May 2026 after a months-long investigation, according to tagesschau. The project would let Russia hide ballistic missiles at depths of several hundred meters and remotely activate them, the broadcasters said, citing Western intelligence sources. Hidden launch platforms would be hard for NATO…
NATO intelligence tracked the actions of the Russian North Fleet, which involved attempts to place nuclear-weapons missiles on the seabed, reported to ARD with reference to the WDR and NDR investigations.
Russia may be implementing a secret military project called the Scythians, which involves the possible deployment of ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads on the seabed.
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