According to an investigation by WDR and NDR journalists, Russia is to work on deploying nuclear missiles in special silos placed deep underwater. In the center of attention is a ship with the innocuous-sounding name “Zvezdochka” (“Star”).
This 96-meter specialist ship is moored in Russia's Severodvinsk on the White Sea – one of the key centers of the Russian submarine construction industry.
According to Western intelligence estimates, “Zvezdochka” may be part of the “Scythians” project — a secret military program.
A secret arsenal at the bottom of the sea
NATO sources claim that missiles equipped with nuclear warheads would be stored at a depth of several hundred meters, in specially designed containers or silos. They could remain hidden there for a very long time, and in the event of a conflict, they would be launched remotely.
In addition to “Zvezdochka”, the project will also use a special submarine “Sarov”.
For the purposes of the investigation, WDR and NDR analyzed satellite images, Russian databases and archival documents, and also talked to military officials and experts. The findings show that Russia may have been working on this system for many years. However, the project has not been officially confirmed.
Neither NATO nor the Russian Ministry of Defense wanted to comment on these reports.
Strategic deployment of nuclear missiles
Navy officer Helge Adrians from the Science and Politics Foundation believes that this idea is primarily based on strategic benefits.
Placing intercontinental missiles on the seabed and keeping them combat-ready has, in my opinion, two main advantages. First, neutralizing them would be extremely difficult and expensive. Secondly, this solution allows to reduce the number of submarines and the necessary personnel
– he told the media.
At the same time, Adrians warns against huge technical problems. Strong sea currents, bottom siltation, power supply and data transmission pose serious challenges. For this reason, the widespread use of this technology remains highly doubtful in his opinion.
The US also considered deploying weapons underwater
Already during the Cold War, the United States analyzed similar concepts. One Pentagon report from 1980 examined the possibility of hiding missile platforms at the bottom of the ocean. Ultimately, the Americans apparently gave up on further development of this project. Russia, on the other hand, was to continue working on a similar solution.
According to NATO findings, a missile called “Skif” was developed specifically for this purpose – a variant of the “Sinewa” submarine. These missiles are to have a range of thousands of kilometers. The first tests were supposed to take place several years ago. However, it is still unknown whether the underwater missiles have actually been deployed.
