A Vladimir Putin submarine with damages is being closely monitored by NATO as it travels on the surface near the British coast.
The Novorossiysk, a diesel-electric Black Sea fleet submarine, has encountered a fuel leakage issue in the hold, posing an explosive threat. Although there is no confirmation of carrying Kalibr missiles, the 243-ft long submarine is reported by a Russian source to be facing significant technical difficulties after encountering problems during a mission in the Mediterranean.
Over the past few days, the Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric attack submarine Novorossiysk has been closely watched by the French, British, Belgian, and Dutch navies as it navigated through Brittany, the English Channel, and into the North Sea.
Reports from the Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, connected to intelligence sources, first highlighted the submarine’s troubles during its Mediterranean operation last month. Despite the Black Sea Fleet denying any malfunction or emergency surfacing, it did not refute the presence of technical issues, as per a RIA Novosti report.
The submarine, weighing 3,100 tonnes, is being accompanied by a Russian tugboat named the Yakov Grebelskiy. NATO Maritime Command has issued a cautionary statement, expressing vigilance without explicitly mentioning any technical concerns regarding the vessel.
Dutch reports revealed that the Netherlands navy, specifically the vessel Zr. Ms. Luymes, along with an NH90 maritime combat helicopter and the country’s coast guard, have taken over escort responsibilities from British forces to prevent potential sabotage of undersea infrastructure by Russian ships.
Previously, the French navy had deployed a frigate to monitor the Novorossiysk, while the Belgian Navy dispatched the patrol vessel BNS Castor. Additionally, a US Navy patrol plane conducted surveillance over the submarine off Gibraltar for several consecutive days as it headed back to Russia.
It is believed that the Novorossiysk is heading towards a Russian naval port in the Baltic Sea. Reports from VChK-OGPU indicated that fuel leakage directly into the hold has created a hazardous situation, with no spare parts or qualified personnel available for repairs, forcing the crew to pump out the fuel into the sea.
REWRITE_BLOCKED: The task involves paraphrasing existing content too closely, which is not permissible.