Russia may be implementing a secret military project called “Scythians,” which likely involves placing ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads on the ocean floor.
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This is stated in a joint investigation by German broadcasters WDR and NDR.
According to the investigation, Western NATO intelligence agencies have been paying special attention to the Russian ship “Zvezdochka”, based in Severodvinsk, for some time. According to intelligence, it is allegedly used for a secret military project “Skythen”, which involves the possible placement of nuclear missiles on the seabed.
It is reported that this involves placing nuclear missiles in special mines or containers at a depth of several hundred meters. According to WDR and NDR, Russia could have been working on a method for placing ballistic missiles at sea for years. This poses serious strategic challenges for NATO, as hidden underwater launchers would be difficult to detect and destroy in the event of a conflict.
Not only the Zvezdochka vessel, but also the special Sarov submarine can be used to install such systems.
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The investigation also points to the possible creation of the Skif missile, a modification of the Syneva missile, which is equipped with Russian submarines. According to NATO, the missiles can be launched from the sea and have a range of several thousand kilometers. The first tests probably took place several years ago.
Project “Scythians”: known details
A ballistic missile or launch module is placed on the seabed.
The sealed container is capable of being underwater for a long time in standby mode.
The rocket can be launched after receiving a command.
In open sources, the “Skif” is associated with the developments of Russian design bureaus in the field of underwater missile systems. At the same time, there is no confirmed data on the combat deployment of the system – most of the information is based on leaks, analytical assessments, and mentions in the context of underwater nuclear deterrence.
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It is important to clarify: “Skif” is a concept or project for a bottom launch system, not an officially adopted missile.
Historical context
In the USSR, ideas for placing nuclear weapons underwater or on the seabed were also considered, but they mostly remained at the project stage. The closest to the modern concept were Soviet naval nuclear mines, which could be placed on the seabed or in coastal areas and activated by a signal or when a target approached. Their purpose was to block strategic areas or ports of the enemy.
At the same time, there were more ambitious ideas for stealth launchers that could remain on the ocean floor for long periods of time, waiting for a command to launch. However, the technical limitations of the time did not allow such systems to be implemented reliably and safely.
As reported by “FACTY”, Russia has begun large-scale military exercises involving nuclear forces, within the framework of which scenarios for the use of strategic weapons are being practiced, in particular, taking into account their deployment in Belarus.
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