Russia's "Losharik" submarine set for tests, as Putin declares nuclear readiness

The Russian nuclear-powered submarine AS-31, known as "Losharik", will undergo testing in June or July - reports Reuters, citing the Russian state agency TASS. The vessel has been under repair for several years.

"The repair of Losharik is almost completed," TASS heard from an anonymous military source. After completing the remaining work, the vessel is planned to set out for tests in June or July of this year," the source added.

According to the TASS source, the vessel will retain the ability to dive to a depth of nearly 6,000 metres after the renovation. Losharik is one of the most secretive submarines in the Russian fleet. In 2019, a fire broke out on board, resulting in the death of 14 sailors. It has been under repair since that time.

Vladimir Putin announced that Russia is fully prepared for the possibility of nuclear war, though it is not a scenario it eagerly seeks - reports PAP. "We are not enthusiastic about it," Putin emphasized, quoted by Reuters. Additionally, he assured Moscow that he would be ready to cooperate with any president of the United States elected by American voters.

Reuters reports that in an extensive interview for the Rossija-1 television and RIA Novosti agency, Putin expressed Russia's readiness to use nuclear weapons if the country's sovereignty was threatened. "From a military-technical point of view, we are, of course, ready," he said.

Source: Reuters, PAP