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Russia To Send The World's Largest Submarine To Baltic Sea

Russia To Send The World's Largest Submarine To Baltic Sea

It's big enough to carry 200 weapons.

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Russia is set to send the world's largest submarine to the Baltic Sea. It can carry an arsenal of 200 weapons, including 20 nuclear missiles.

The 574ft, Typhoon-class sub called Dmitry Donskoy is set to be on course from the White Sea to Norway and Denmark, the Daily Mail reports.

It has enough room to fit 160 people on board and can stay submerged for up to 120 days. The submarine is named after the 12th century Prince of Moscow.

The massive sub dates back to the 1980s and was built to counter the American Ohio-class subs, which were capable of carrying 192 weapons. The Russian equivalent was designed to be bigger and heavier - six were made in total - and the Dmitry Donskoy is the only remaining sub of the six to still be active.

The Russian Navy. Credit: PA

These particular subs were designed to be used in deep oceans, where they could remain undetected, however, the water it is being sent to is just 180 feet deep, leading some to speculate this is just Russia 'flexing its muscles'.

As it travels through such shallow water, the crew will need to keep it above sea-level to stop the bottom from scraping, meaning everyone it passes will be able to get an eyeful of the massive vessel.

It is now predominately used as a test platform for missiles. However, it's not just the potential weapons on-board that are frightening Norwegians, the sub's age is also pretty scary. One atomic physicist, Nils Bøhmer, told the Barents Observer: "I'm worried when a 40-year-old atomic submarine with a relatively large reactor aboard sails along the Norwegian coast and into the Baltic.

"The authorities have to know the exact time of its voyage in order to be prepared. It is also vital to ensure there are not atomic weapons on board."

Credit: YouTube/Oleg Kuleshov

Two days ago, Lithuania gave a warning to NATO that Russia has the potential to attack the Baltic states with just 24 hours' notice, according to intelligence it has gathered. An attack from Russia would leave NATO with just a few military assets in place and in a vulnerable position.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the concerns as a display of anti-Russian sentiment according to The Daily Mail.

He said: "There is total Russophobia, hysterical Russophobia going on. Moscow has always supported good relations with the Baltic states."

Source: The Daily Mail, CPH Post, and National Interest

Featured Image Credit: Bellona Foundation

Topics: Norway, Russia