Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a veiled threat to Ukraine’s EU backers, has said that his country maintains a clear edge in terms of military firepower against competitors.
He said Russian submarines could sail undetected beneath the Arctic ice. Putin made the remarks during a meeting with nuclear sector engineers and workers in Sarov, east of Moscow.
He added that the Arctic region remains crucial for Moscow’s overall defence strategy.
“Our strategic nuclear submarines dive beneath the Arctic ice, vanishing from radar. This is our military advantage,” he said.
Nuclear-powered submarines could remain underwater indefinitely; however, they occasionally surface to restock food and essential supplies for the crew operating these mammoth war machines.
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Putin said Russian researchers need to explore the Arctic region, which carries immense significance as shipping routes are becoming more accessible due to melting ice.
“It is our competitive advantage because many countries are interested in using the routes,” Putin noted.
Several countries, including the United States and Russia, have in recent years highlighted the importance of the Arctic for security and global trade.
Russia, so far, remains the only nation in the world to operate nuclear-powered icebreakers in the region.
Since the 2000s, Russia has built eight Borei-class nuclear submarines, with the most recent vessel, the Knyaz Pozharsky, launched last year. Two more are currently under construction.
Putin said last month that the submarines are equipped with Bulava ballistic missiles, which have a range of up to 8,000 km (4,970 miles).
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