NATO suspects Russia of preparing to deploy nuclear missiles on the seabed, according to WDR
NATO intelligence has tracked activity by Russia’s Northern Fleet that may indicate Russia is preparing to deploy nuclear missiles on the seabed. This refers to a secret military project codenamed “Skif.”
This was reported by the Tagesschau program, citing an investigation by the German television channels WDR and NDR.
According to the investigators, journalists spent several months analyzing satellite images, scientific databases, and historical Russian documents, as well as speaking with military experts and sources within NATO.
The investigation states that Russia has likely been working for a long time on developing a system to launch ballistic missiles from the seabed.
“Russia may have been working for many years on deploying ballistic missiles at sea in a manner unknown until now... These launchers will be virtually impossible to detect and destroy,” the report notes.
According to NATO data, Russia developed the “Skif” missile specifically for this project, which is a modification of the “Sineva” missile currently in service on Russian submarines.
The new missiles can be launched directly from the seabed, and their range is several thousand kilometers. According to journalists, the first tests may have taken place several years ago.
The investigation notes that the missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads and can be deployed in special silos or containers at a depth of several hundred meters.
There are also assumptions that such systems can remain on the seabed for long periods and be launched remotely if necessary.
According to NATO sources, Russia may use the Zvezdochka-class ships and the Sarov submarine, both based in Severodvinsk on the White Sea coast, to install the missile silos.
Journalists note that in 1971, the United States, the Soviet Union, and about 80 other countries signed a treaty banning the deployment of nuclear weapons on the seabed.
However, the treaty applies only to international waters. Deploying such systems in its own territorial waters is not formally prohibited, which may leave Russia with a legal opening to carry out such a project.
Russia has launched large-scale nuclear exercises to demonstrate its strength to Ukraine’s allies, increase pressure on NATO, and divert attention from its own failures on the front lines. This is the conclusion reached by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation officially announced the start of large-scale military exercises involving strategic nuclear forces, which will take place from May 19 to 21, 2026.
Ukraine reacted sharply to the joint nuclear exercises between Russia and Belarus, stating that they violate international treaties and pose a threat to global security. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Moscow is effectively turning Belarus into a nuclear springboard near NATO’s borders.
