Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on 29 October that the country had successfully tested its nuclear torpedo, “Poseidon.” This is a long-range underwater drone capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, Newsweek reports. 

Catastrophic radioactive waves

The Poseidon system, sometimes referred to in Western media as a “nuclear super-tornado,” is designed to bypass existing US missile defense systems and potentially generate catastrophic radioactive waves against coastal targets.

Poseidon, officially known as the multipurpose oceanic system Status-6, is an autonomous underwater torpedo with a nuclear engine, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead with a yield of up to 100 megatons.

The strategic and environmental consequences are significant. The Poseidon warhead is assumed to be a cobalt bomb, which maximizes long-term radioactive contamination.

According to NukeMap models cited by Balestrieri, a detonation could render an area roughly 1,700 by 300 kilometers uninhabitable due to radioactive fallout or create a “nuclear tsunami” affecting coastal cities.

"The power of Poseidon significantly exceeds that of our most advanced intercontinental missile, Sarmat. There is nothing like it in the world," Russian President Vladimir Putin said. 

Intimidating the US amid Trump’s peace initiatives

Military expert Ivan Stupak says the Poseidon test is a threat to the abstract Western world, which has access to the world’s oceans.

"They are trying to show the world that they possess these superweapons. The whole world should supposedly be frightened, especially Europeans, and agree to any of Russia’s conditions," the expert explains.

Stupak adds, "The question is how quickly they can produce them: one, two, three per year. Overall, a nuclear reactor is not a cheap undertaking," UNIAN reports. 

Another military expert, Oleksandr Kovalenko, commented on Putin’s statement, emphasizing that the Kremlin leader is once again showcasing missiles that no one has seen.

It is evident that Vladimir Putin “has shifted into a mode of intimidating Donald Trump,” the expert writes.

"The gas station that recently began importing fuel from China cannot respond economically or mirror sanctions, so they are trying to intimidate," he suggested. 

The Poseidon test is part of a series of nuclear threat statements that Russia intensified after the cancellation of the Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest regarding ending the war, ExpresOnline writes.

The meeting was canceled because the Kremlin does not want to make concessions, demanding Ukraine’s capitulation.

Military pressure on Ukraine to force a surrender

Recently, Russia also announced the successful test of the Burevestnik missile with a nuclear propulsion system. It reportedly flew 14,000 kilometers. However, there are no independent assessments of the weapon, and it has been described only by Russia.

Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlin's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, stated during the visit to the US that “the security of the whole world” depends on peaceful US–Russia relations and warned the Trump administration about “complete annihilation of humanity."

Russia also plans to deploy the Oreshnik missile system in Belarus. It can reach Ukraine or any other European state within minutes. 

Kyiv takes a step into the sky of freedom. Ukraine and Sweden have signed the first document, opening the path to receiving Swedish Gripen fighter jets. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called it “a new and very meaningful chapter” in relations with Sweden, according to the President's Office. 

Superspeed fighter jets for Ukraine: the beginning of air era

On 22 October, Zelenskyy arrived in the Swedish city of Linköping, where he was greeted by Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. They planned to discuss a new level of defense partnership amid Russia’s war against Ukraine. 

100–150 fighter jets: forming a new Air Force

“Today, there is the first document between our countries that opens the way for Ukraine to receive a serious fleet of Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets,” Zelenskyy said during the meeting with Kristersson. 

He described the Gripen jet as a "very cool” and a “powerful platform capable of carrying out a wide range of combat missions.”

In his turn, Kristersson stated that the signed letter of intent opens the way for the potential supply of 100–150 Gripen E-series fighter jets, which will allow Ukraine to build “a very serious Air Force."

According to him, the agreement benefits both sides. For Sweden, it is “one step towards a major export deal for Saab” and a foundation for long-term industrial cooperation.

Saab is a leading Swedish aerospace and defense company, which produces the JAS 39 Gripen. Its headquarters are located in Linköping, the exact city where Zelenskyy arrived with the official visit. 

From intentions to contract

The Swedish prime minister emphasized that the document does not mean immediate deliveries, but creates a framework for a large-scale future agreement.

“It means great opportunities for the Ukrainian Air Force, and also for Sweden and our defence industry,” Kristersson said.

Zelenskyy added, “Everyone can see the threats this helps to counter. We expect that the future contract will allow us to receive at least 100 such aircraft.”

The Ukrainian president thanked the Swedish government, Kristersson, and Saab for their willingness to engage in deep defence cooperation.

The JAS 39 Gripen E has following specifications 

Its maximum speed is up to around 2,130 km/h, which is approximately Mach 2 at high altitude. The aircraft can carry:

• AIM-120 AMRAAM
• AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles

They are used not only on the Gripen but also on many US and allied fighters, such as the F-16.

It is capable of launching precision-guided bombs GBU-12, GBU-49, and tactical air-to-ground missiles. 

The Gripen E/F of the so-called 4++ generation features improved stealth, additional protection, and a new F414 engine from General Electric, per United24. Additionally, its fuel capacity has increased by 1.5 times, enabling a combat radius of 1,300 km compared to 800 km in the JAS 39C/D, BBC reports. Maximum takeoff weight has also increased to 16.5 tons, and the number of weapon hardpoints has risen from 8 to 10.