A Russian submarine previously operating in the Mediterranean has surfaced off France after reports it suffered a fuel leak near Gibraltar, according to Reuters. NATO released photos of a French frigate monitoring the submarine, identified as the Novorossiysk.
Russian officials denied any malfunction and said the submarine surfaced to follow the English Channel navigation rules.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte mocked the episode, calling the vessel “broken.”
The incident comes amid heightened tension between Moscow and NATO.
The Novorossiysk, a diesel-electric Kilo-class submarine armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, had reportedly experienced “serious technical problems” during a mission near Gibraltar in late September, according to a Telegram channel known for publishing alleged Russian security leaks.
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“Now, in effect, there is hardly any Russian naval presence in the Mediterranean left,” Rutte said. “There’s a lone and broken Russian submarine limping home from patrol.”
Russia denies claim
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet rejected the reports of a malfunction, saying the submarine had “no issues” and surfaced in accordance with international maritime law while returning from a “planned deployment in the Mediterranean.”
The fleet said the Novorossiysk was conducting a “scheduled inter-fleet transit,” according to Reuters. Under international rules, submarines are required to travel surfaced and to show their flag when passing through the English Channel, a strait used for international navigation.
NATO’s Maritime Command said Thursday that a French Navy frigate was monitoring the alliance’s maritime approaches and confirmed the presence of a Russian submarine operating on the surface near Brittany.
“NATO stands ready to defend our Alliance with constant vigilance and maritime awareness across the Atlantic,” the post on X said.
France 24 previously reported that open-source trackers flagged a U.S. Navy patrol plane flying over the area where the submarine was seen.
Analysts told the outlet the Novorossiysk may have been engaged in intelligence gathering or transport of equipment rather than a combat operation. Russia maintains that the submarine’s surfacing was routine.
NATO, meanwhile, started its annual “Steadfast Noon” nuclear exercise this week, involving 71 aircraft from 14 member states, as European allies heighten security amid recent drone incursions.
