Overview
- Defense Minister Andrei Belousov announced the Khabarovsk launch at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, with Russia saying sea trials will begin before the boat is commissioned to the Pacific Fleet.
- Russian officials describe Khabarovsk as the first purpose-built carrier for the nuclear-powered, nuclear-capable Poseidon; state outlets commonly report capacity for six Poseidons, with some suggesting up to 12.
- Public disclosures remain limited, with official footage showing mainly the stern and pump‑jet propulsor, while satellite imagery and analysts estimate roughly 135–140 meters in length and note design parallels to the Borei class.
- President Vladimir Putin recently said Russia successfully tested Poseidon with its reactor activated and the Burevestnik cruise missile over about 14,000 km, and he awarded the programs’ developers.
- Many performance claims, including Poseidon’s power, speed and “unstoppability,” are asserted by state sources without independent verification, drawing international concern over escalation risks and arms-control implications.