Kathrine Frich
The submarine has been seen working with the Jakob Grebelsky, a Russian naval tug.
The submarine has been seen working with the Jakob Grebelsky, a Russian naval tug.
Forced to surface near UK after fuel leak
A Russian nuclear submarine was forced to surface near UK waters following what sources describe as a “serious accident” in the Strait of Gibraltar.
The Novorossiysk, a 74-metre Kilo-class submarine armed with cruise missiles and torpedoes, reportedly became an “explosive hazard” due to a dangerous fuel leak.
Diesel flooding turns stealth submarine into a threat
Reports from Russian military bloggers revealed that the submarine’s fuel system began leaking, filling the hull with diesel.
“The accumulated fuel in the hold is an explosive hazard,” one sailor said, adding that the crew may have to start “pumping out the hold” into the sea to prevent a blast.
NATO and allies scramble warships to monitor crisis
Following the emergency, several NATO member states deployed warships and surveillance aircraft to track the situation.
French warships and a Spanish frigate were spotted in the area, along with NATO aircraft circling overhead.
The Strait of Gibraltar is one of the most closely monitored maritime chokepoints in the world.
Tugboat escort hints at worsening condition
The submarine has been seen working with the Jakob Grebelsky, a Russian naval tug.
The tug was tracked moving west off Portugal’s coast, suggesting the Novorossiysk is slowly retreating from the Mediterranean toward the Atlantic.
The assistance implies the sub is no longer able to operate independently.
Military bloggers say crew lacks training to fix leak
According to Russian sources, no one onboard had the expertise to repair the fuel system failure.
The vessel reportedly lacked the necessary spare parts, raising further alarm about Russia’s submarine maintenance standards.
The situation became so dire that emergency fuel dumping was reportedly being considered.
Gibraltar’s strategic role adds to NATO’s concern
The incident happened in a high-stakes location.
The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean and is crucial to global trade and naval operations.
A potential explosion in this narrow channel would not only pose environmental risks but also disrupt maritime routes.
Russia stays silent as global navies keep watch
Despite the seriousness of the accident, Russia has refused to confirm the incident.
Open-source ship-tracking data and eyewitness reports have revealed extensive international efforts to monitor the Novorossiysk.
The lack of official communication from Moscow has drawn criticism.
Submarine was previously escorted by Royal Navy
Earlier this year, the same submarine was tracked in British waters.
The Royal Navy escorted the Novorossiysk out of the English Channel in January as it headed toward the North Sea.
Its reappearance near UK territory has raised new security concerns in London and across NATO.
Russia increasingly relies on submarine fleet
Turkey’s decision to block Russian warships from passing through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles has left the Kremlin dependent on submarines like the Novorossiysk.
The Black Sea Fleet has been severely limited since the invasion of Ukraine began.
Technical failures expose flaws in Russian navy
This is not the first time Russian naval equipment has made headlines for failing in action.
With aging vessels, poor logistics, and crew shortages, Russia’s submarine fleet may be facing mounting technical challenges it is unable to manage.
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, which may have used AI in the preparation
