A Russian submarine capable of carrying nuclear missiles has declared an ‘explosion hazard’ alert after suffering a fuel leak in the Mediterranean.
The Black Sea Fleet submarine Novorossiysk is ‘experiencing serious technical problems’ and has now put out the urgent warning, Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU reported today.
The crew of the 242ft Kilo-class craft may have no choice but to pump out the hold directly into the sea, it was alleged by the channel’s source.
It is unclear exactly where in the Mediterranean the submarine is located.
The craft was previously observed by the Royal Navy as it sailed through the English Channel and North Sea in July.
In early August it was spotted passing Gibraltar to enter the Mediterranean.
The diesel-electric attack submarine is designed to carry nuclear-capable Kalibr missiles, but it is judged unlikely to be doing so during the Mediterranean mission.
‘Novorossiysk, currently on combat duty in the Mediterranean Sea, is experiencing serious technical problems,’ said the report.
The Black Sea Fleet submarine Novorossiysk is ‘experiencing serious technical problems’ and has now put out the urgent warning, Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU reported today
The craft was previously observed by the Royal Navy as it sailed through the English Channel and North Sea in July (pictured)
‘Due to damage in the fuel system, fuel is leaking directly into the hold.
‘There are no spare parts for repairs or qualified specialists on the submarine, and the crew is unable to fix the malfunctions.
‘The serious accident has caused other problems as well. The accumulated fuel in the hold is an explosive hazard.
‘The source believes the crew has no choice but to start ‘pumping out the hold’ directly into the sea.’
There has been no official statement that the vessel is in trouble.
The submarine has a crew of 52 and can stay underwater for up to 45 days at a time.
A Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Mersey, a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron and a specialist submarine hunting Merlin aircraft from 824 Naval Air Squadron monitored the surfaced Novorossiysk submarine as it sailed through the North Sea and English Channel in early July.
The sub was detected as it made its way through the North Sea and into the English Channel.
The submarine has a crew of 52 and can stay underwater for up to 45 days at a time
Patrol ship HMS Mersey, based in Portsmouth, was scrambled to intercept the Russian boat, tracking it west during the voyage.
The British warship and helicopters used their powerful sensors to stalk the Novorossiysk and its Goryn-class tug boat, Yakov Grebelski.
It marked the sixth time Mersey was scrambled in just three months to track Russian vessels skulking in British waters.
In November, a Royal Navy nuclear submarine surfaced next to a Russian counterpart in order to ward it off, Defence Secretary John Healey told Parliament on Thursday.
The operation to monitor Putin’s warships is part of the government’s ongoing mission to safeguard British waters.
It comes amid concerns the Russian tyrant could use his so-called ‘shadow fleet’ of merchant vessels and spy ships to sabotage key underwater power cables.
Channel VChK-OGPU specialises in leaks from the Russian security services and law enforcement.
The Novorossiysk is a Black Sea Fleet vessel but it is not believed to have been involved in the war against Ukraine.
Ukraine claims it sank sister submarine Rostov-on-Don in August 2024.
