Weapons

 

State Department fears Russian underwater nuclear drones could unleash ‘radioactive tsunami’ on US

A US State Department official has issued a warning over Russia’s nuclear deterrent, saying the unmanned submarine drones equipped with warheads are capable of causing tsunamis.

Christopher Ford, the assistant secretary of state for international security and nonproliferation, made the claims during a virtual conference on nuclear weapons and international law.

He told viewers Washington has “reasons to be concerned about Russian policy.” Ford doubts that Moscow, which says its nuclear arsenal exists only for defense purposes, would use it “proportionally” in the case of a conflict.

“The Russians have suggested that they might respond with the all-out use of nuclear weapons if they see even a single incoming ballistic missile,” Ford warned.

He also expressed concern over Moscow’s development of Poseidon, an unmanned underwater submersible that could potentially be equipped with both conventional and nuclear weapons.