Buzz
During its time as a global superpower, the Soviet Union created some of the most inventive and fascinating weaponry. While many in the Western world are familiar with various unique Allied and NATO weapons, few are aware of the peculiar ideas the Soviets pursued. Here are 10 of the most eccentric, and sometimes surprisingly effective, weapons developed by the Soviet Union during World War II and the Cold War.
10. VVA-14
Nuclear submarines played a critical role in Cold War strategy for both the Soviet Union and the United States. Due to the immense destructive potential of submarines in the event of a nuclear conflict, both superpowers developed sophisticated countermeasures for detecting and neutralizing them. Among the most effective methods was the use of specialized anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft, equipped with advanced torpedoes and sonar systems. Out of all the ASW aircraft from the Cold War, none was more unconventional than the Soviet Union’s VVA-14.
When the Soviets became aware of new U.S. submarines designed to carry Polaris missiles, they quickly set out to develop a countermeasure. Collaborating with the renowned floatplane manufacturer Beriev and Italian engineer Robert Bartini, Soviet leaders began working on a new ASW aircraft. The result was the VVA-14, an amphibious plane capable of vertical takeoff from the water, powered by 12 turbofan engines—making it one of the few vertical takeoff amphibious aircraft ever built. Once in the air, the VVA-14 could perform high-speed, high-altitude flights. It was also capable of using the ground effect to conduct fast, low-altitude attack runs, flying just a few meters above the water's surface, riding the cushion of air between the plane and the ocean.
The VVA-14's unique design gave it an awkward, almost unattractive appearance. However, despite its unconventional look, the plane performed relatively well and represented the cutting edge of Soviet aviation technology. Had it entered service, it would have been equipped with advanced computerized ASW systems and state-of-the-art sonar. After two years of testing, Beriev and Bartini continued to refine the aircraft. Unfortunately, following Bartini's death in 1974, the project lost momentum and eventually came to a stop. Soviet commanders, disillusioned by the complexity of the aircraft, opted for more traditional ASW planes. The prototypes were dismantled and destroyed, and the only surviving example is now wingless and engine-less, residing in a flight museum near Moscow.
9. Lipstick Gun
During the Cold War, espionage was one of the most defining aspects of the conflict, with spies from both sides using a range of fascinating gadgets. Some of the most intriguing of these were developed by the Soviet Union. While many of the weapons used by Soviet agents remain unknown, the ones we do know about were either seized during border crossings or taken from captured operatives. One of the most remarkable is the Soviet lipstick gun, nicknamed the “Kiss of Death.”
Only one known example of the Kiss of Death exists. It was confiscated by border guards during a crossing between East and West Germany in 1965. Analysts believed that it was intended as standard issue for female spies. A last-resort weapon, the gun was disguised as a lipstick container and could fire a single 4.5-millimeter bullet. Reloading was not possible, meaning it would have been used only in dire circumstances. While we don't know how widely it was distributed, the Kiss of Death offers a rare insight into the clandestine world of Soviet spies.
8. 2B1 Oka
The atomic bomb was the primary weapon of the Cold War, and both superpowers came up with a variety of bizarre methods for delivering the devastating weapon in wartime. Before guided nuclear missiles were fully developed, nations relied on unguided delivery systems. Both sides invested in nuclear artillery pieces for battlefield use, but it was the Soviets who truly embraced the idea, producing one of the largest artillery pieces ever created: the 420-millimeter 2B1 Oka.
To put the size of the 420-millimeter cannon into perspective, the main guns of an American Iowa-class battleship were 406 millimeters, making the Oka slightly larger than a battleship's main armament. This enormous cannon could fire a 750-kilogram (1,650 lb) shell over a distance of up to 45 kilometers (28 miles). However, the gun’s massive size came with a major flaw—its recoil. The recoil was so powerful that it often destroyed the self-propelled chassis after a shot. Even if the cannon had been able to fire multiple rounds, the enormous weight of the shells would have limited the firing rate, even with a crew of seven. Although initially designed as a nuclear cannon, the 2B1 Oka would have mostly launched conventional shells, reserving its nuclear capability for extreme situations.
Given the numerous issues with the Oka, the Soviet military ultimately decided against pursuing the development of oversized artillery. Instead, they shifted their focus to guided missiles, which promised greater range than any traditional projectile-based weapon. As a result, large artillery guns became obsolete, and the Oka faded into history as a footnote of the Cold War.
7. T-35 Heavy Tank
As World War II approached, many of the world's powers experimented with a range of innovative combat vehicles, including the concept of the super-heavy tank. Originally conceived by the British and known as 'landships,' these behemoth tanks were designed to be impenetrable mobile fortresses for armored warfare. While numerous designs were explored, only a few ever saw production. Soviet tank designers were particularly intrigued by the super-heavy tank concept, and they developed a few prototypes of their own. The most widely used of these was the T-35 heavy tank.
The T-35 was based on a British design, which was modified by Soviet engineers. Its most distinctive feature was its five turrets, allowing it to fire in any direction. The main turret was equipped with a standard tank cannon, while the additional four turrets housed a mix of smaller cannons and machine guns. Although enormous on the outside, the interior of the T-35 was incredibly cramped. Due to its immense weight, it could only reach a top speed of about 30 kilometers per hour (20 mph), which was slow compared to other tanks of the era. Despite its heavy armament, the T-35 was surprisingly lightly armored for its size, which made it outdated by the time it was deployed to tank units.
When Nazi forces invaded the Soviet Union, the T-35 tanks became stationary defensive positions, using their heavy armament while minimizing their mobility disadvantage. However, combat experience quickly revealed that the T-35 was an easy target for faster German tanks. The greatest issue, however, was not enemy fire, but mechanical failure, particularly in the drivetrain. This accounted for 90 percent of the T-35's combat losses. Within a few months, the T-35 was removed from the front line. The only surviving example of this five-turreted tank is now preserved in a Russian museum.
6. Tu-2Sh Fire Hedgehog
By 1944, as World War II raged on, the Soviet Union grew increasingly determined to end the conflict swiftly. To gain an edge over the Germans, Soviet engineers began experimenting with a wide array of unconventional weaponry. With the war starting to swing in their favor, the Soviets were granted more freedom and time to develop new systems. Among these was a series of modifications to the Tu-2 bomber. At one point, engineers added a massive 75-millimeter cannon to the plane, but the most bizarre adaptation was the Fire Hedgehog gun mount.
The Fire Hedgehog was designed as an anti-infantry weapon and consisted of 88 PPsH submachine guns, which were mounted in the Tu-2's bomb bay. These guns were positioned at a specific angle to optimize ground fire. During combat, the pilot would fly the bomber low over enemy infantry positions, unleashing a barrage of 88 guns aimed directly at the ground, creating an overwhelming storm of bullets. With a rate of fire of 72,900 rounds per minute, the Tu-2Sh could unleash 6,000 rounds over a 550-meter (1,800 ft) stretch of land in just four seconds. Fortunately for the Germans, the Fire Hedgehog never made it into service. Few records about the weapon have survived World War II, aside from photos of the test aircraft, which show the truly outrageous nature of this weapon. To this day, the Tu-2Sh Fire Hedgehog holds the record for the most guns ever mounted on a single aircraft, a record unlikely to be surpassed.
5. Poison-Shooting Umbrella
The poison-shooting umbrella was another secret weapon used by Soviet spies, often referred to as the 'Bulgarian umbrella.' On the surface, it appeared to be a regular umbrella, but the tip contained a sharp injector designed to stab the target. When the needle penetrated the skin, a pneumatic mechanism would inject a small pellet of ricin, killing the victim within a short time. Its compact size made it easily concealable, making it the perfect tool for assassination missions.
One of the most infamous uses of this weapon was in the assassination of Bulgarian writer Georgi Markov in London. Markov, a former Soviet Union citizen turned dissident, was targeted by both the Bulgarian secret police and the KGB in September 1978. On Waterloo Bridge, an agent stabbed Markov in the leg, and the ricin from the umbrella caused the writer to die three days later from poisoning. While no other confirmed instances of the weapon being used are known, it was rumored to be a preferred tool of both the Bulgarian secret police and the KGB.
4. MiG-105
Space planes have gained significant attention in recent years thanks to the successes of companies like Virgin Galactic. However, the concept of space planes isn't new; during the Cold War, both the United States and the Soviet Union tested various designs as part of their efforts to militarize space. While the U.S. focused on the X-20 Dynasoar, the Soviets responded with their own unique creation, the MiG-105.
Known by the nickname 'Lapot' (meaning 'shoe' in slang) due to its distinct and somewhat awkward appearance, the MiG-105 served as a prototype for a series of Soviet space planes under the Spiral project. These space fighters were envisioned as tools to dominate space and prevent any NATO incursions beyond Earth's atmosphere. Designed to launch atop a solid rocket booster, complete missions in orbit, and return to base, the MiG-105's primary purpose was to test the viability of manned reentry, rather than actual spaceflight, to pave the way for future Spiral space vehicles.
The MiG-105 successfully completed several powered flights, demonstrating its potential on various occasions from airstrips near Moscow. Yet, by the late 1960s, Soviet officials began to question the practicality of a military space plane program. The prohibitive cost of such endeavors and their limited strategic value led to the cancellation of the project in 1969.
The MiG-105 made a brief comeback in 1974 in response to NASA's space shuttle program. This second round of testing was largely motivated by propaganda, as Soviet commanders remained largely uninterested in the Spiral project. After four years of irregular flights, the MiG-105 was retired, and focus shifted to the Buran space shuttle program. Today, the MiG-105 test vehicle can be found on display at the Monino air museum, serving as a peculiar reminder of a near-miss with the dream of creating a space fighter.
3. Aerosani
When most people think of Russia or the Soviet Union, they often imagine bitterly cold, endless winters. Given the severity of these winters, the Soviet Union developed a variety of specialized vehicles to navigate and operate in such conditions during World War II. Among the most intriguing and surprisingly effective of these vehicles were the Aerosani—essentially motorized sleds. The RF-8, pictured above, is one example. Powered by an airplane engine mounted on the back to drive a propeller, the Aerosani could swiftly traverse the frozen landscapes of Northern Europe, carrying a crew of two and a small arsenal of weapons.
The NKL-26 was the most common and successful version of the Aerosani. With its light armor and powered by a five-cylinder aircraft engine, it was used extensively during the Winter War against Finland. Though primarily tasked with communication and logistical support, NKL-26 units were also equipped to engage in combat if necessary, often using a mounted light machine gun. Thanks to their exceptional mobility over snow, the NKL-26s proved ideal for launching surprise attacks. When Nazi forces invaded, Russian Aerosan units were pressed into active combat service between 1942 and 1943.
As the war wore on, the need for the Aerosani began to diminish, and eventually, these vehicles were phased out. After the conflict, Soviet leaders saw no reason to upgrade or continue development of the Aerosan series, leading to the concept being abandoned. The NKL-26 and its variants now stand as a peculiar chapter in the history of Soviet winter warfare.
2. Sukhoi T-4
During the Cold War, nearly every major power invested in heavy bomber aircraft, particularly in the 1960s, when nuclear strategy was heavily reliant on long-range, high-altitude bombers that could penetrate enemy airspace and drop nuclear payloads. In response to the United States' XB-70 Valkyrie—a colossal Mach-3 bomber that was designed to be virtually untouchable—the Soviets embarked on creating their own Mach-3 counterpart, the Sukhoi T-4. Both bombers shared many similar design elements, representing the zenith of bomber technology at the time.
The T-4 was more compact than the XB-70 but featured a similar delta-wing design, with a series of engines mounted beneath the fuselage. The airframe was primarily constructed from titanium and stainless steel, and it boasted an advanced quadruple-redundant fly-by-wire system. For optimal high-Mach performance, the plane’s cockpit was not exposed. While on the ground and during takeoff, the nose tilted downward, exposing a forward-facing windshield. Once airborne, the nose would rise and cover the windshield, forcing the pilot to use a periscope extending from the fuselage for visibility. At Mach speeds, the periscope retracted, and the pilot relied on instruments and small windows on the side of the cockpit to navigate.
Initially designed as a nuclear bomber, the T-4 eventually adopted a secondary role as a reconnaissance aircraft. Strangely, the surviving prototype on display at the Monino air museum near Moscow lists it as an anti-shipping bomber. Regardless of its role, the T-4 quickly fell out of favor with Soviet leadership before full testing could be completed. The rise of NATO’s surface-to-air missile technology meant the T-4 could easily be shot down, even at Mach 3. Coupled with its exorbitant cost, the T-4’s potential was overshadowed by lighter, nuclear-capable fighter-bombers like the MiG-23. These aircraft were more suited to Soviet strategies, and the T-4 project was discontinued shortly after the XB-70 was shelved.
1. Akula Submarine
Russia is known for constructing some of the largest things on the planet, and one of its lesser-known feats is the creation of the largest submarine ever built. The Akula-class (also known as 'Typhoon') was developed by Soviet engineers toward the end of the Cold War, just before the collapse of the Soviet Union. Originally, the Akula was designed to carry as many missiles as the US Ohio-class submarine, but due to the larger size of Soviet missiles, the Akula concept ended up being even larger than the Ohio class. Upon completion, the Akula exceeded its original design specifications, measuring an immense 175 meters (574 feet) in length and 23 meters (75 feet) in width.
The Akula was a massive submarine, intended to operate beneath the polar ice cap while supporting long-duration missions. To ensure the crew’s comfort and survivability, engineers employed an unusual design: multiple pressure hulls. While most submarines feature an outer hull and a single pressure hull inside, the Akula had five. These included two main crew hulls, a smaller hull near the top, and two additional hulls for torpedo storage and maintenance of the two nuclear reactors. This innovative design gave the Akula its colossal dimensions and greatly enhanced its crew's living conditions while also increasing its survivability, essentially making it five submarines in one.
Although originally designed as a missile submarine capable of carrying 192 warheads, the Akula was also equipped with six torpedo tubes for engaging enemy submarines. Fortunately, the Akula never saw combat, and with the conclusion of the Cold War, the need for such massive vessels diminished. As the Akula reached the end of its service life, the decision was made to scrap the submarines rather than modernize them. Canada and the United States contributed 80 percent of the funds for their dismantling. In place of the Akula, the Russian Navy introduced smaller submarines, but the Akula still holds the title of the largest submarine ever built and remains one of the few to feature a multiple pressure hull design.
