Germany Reports Suspected Russian Secret Project to Deploy Seabed Missiles

German public broadcaster ARD has revealed intelligence suggesting Russia is pursuing a clandestine project, codenamed "Skif," aimed at deploying ballistic missiles on the seabed. Reports from ARD's regional units, WDR and NDR, indicate that Moscow has been exploring methods for underwater missile deployment for several years. The project reportedly utilizes a specialized vessel named "Zviozdočka," which has been observed transporting heavy equipment to the Arctic Ocean. This ship is allegedly under surveillance by NATO.

Unnamed Western intelligence sources cited by ARD believe the "Skif" project's objective is to install missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads into specially prepared silos situated hundreds of meters below the sea's surface. According to the broadcaster's findings, these seabed-based missiles could be hidden for extended periods and launched remotely by Moscow in times of crisis. The investigation involved interviews with military personnel and defense experts, alongside the analysis of satellite imagery, Russian scientific databases, and historical documents.

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Russia can achieve similar results with relatively little effort and without emptying its wallet too much compared to submarines.

Helge Adrians, a naval officer and expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, commented on the potential implications. He noted that neutralizing seabed-deployed nuclear weapons would be extremely challenging. Furthermore, such a system would reduce Russia's reliance on traditional launch platforms like submarines, which are costly to build and maintain. Adrians suggested that Russia could achieve similar strategic results with less financial investment compared to submarine programs. However, he also cautioned that successfully utilizing such weapons would present significant technical hurdles, including issues related to ocean currents, sedimentation, power supply, and data transmission. Adrians expressed doubt that Russia could successfully deploy a large number of missiles using this method.

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Russia can achieve similar results with relatively little effort and without emptying its wallet too much compared to submarines.