A Russian submarine from its Black Sea fleet, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, is posing an “explosive hazard” as it makes its way through the English Channel and up the North Sea
A damaged Vladimir Putin submarine is being watched closely by NATO as it sails on the surface past the British coast.
The diesel-electric Black Sea fleet submarine Novorossiysk has suffered a leakage of fuel into the hold creating an “explosive hazard”. The 243-ft long submarine – potentially capable of carrying nuclear weapons, although there is no evidence it has Kalibr missiles on board – has been reported by a Russian source to be “experiencing serious technical problems” after getting into trouble on a mission in the Mediterranean.
In recent days, the Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric attack submarine Novorossiysk has been under close observation of the French, British, Belgian and Dutch navies as it passed Brittany, through the English Channel and into the North Sea.
READ MORE: Hamas hostages list in full as Israeli prisoners released from Gaza during peace dealREAD MORE: Russia’s chilling ‘nuclear’ Tomahawk warning as ‘tensions escalate on all sides’
Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU – with links to intelligence sources – first reported the vessel’s problems when it was in the Mediterranean last month. The Black Sea Fleet today denied a “malfunction and emergency surfacing of the submarine Novorossiysk, off the coast of France” without specifically refuting that it was suffering technical problems, according to a RIA Novosti report.
It was on a “scheduled inter fleet transit” and “according to international navigation rules, submarines pass through the Strait of Dover exclusively on the surface”, according to the state news agency account.
The submarine, displacement of 3,100 tonnes, is accompanied by an escorting Russian tugboat – the Yakov Grebelskiy. NATO Maritime Command issued a warning – “We are watching” – without alluding to alleged technical problems on the vessel.
Dutch reports said the country’s navy and in particular vessel Zr. Ms. Luymes along with an NH90 maritime combat helicopter and the country’s coast guard had taken over escort duties from British forces. “The Netherlands shows vigilance and prevents Russian ships from sabotaging undersea infrastructure,” said a Dutch defence ministry spokesperson.
Earlier the French navy deployed a frigate to monitor the Novorossiysk. The Belgian Navy sent out patrol vessel BNS Castor. A US Navy patrol plane had flown over the submarine for several days in a row off Gibraltar as the submarine began its route back to Russia, according to reports.
The Novorossiysk is assumed to be making for a Russian naval port in the Baltic Sea. VChK-OGPU had reported “fuel is leaking directly into the hold” on the submarine. It said: “There are no spare parts for repairs or qualified specialists on the submarine, and the crew is unable to fix the malfunctions.
“Other problems have begun to occur due to the serious accident. The fuel accumulated in the hold is an explosive hazard.” The channel’s source warned the crew has no choice but to start “pumping out the hold” directly into the sea.