Slovenia: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte publicly derided the condition of the Russian Navy this week, using the recent trouble faced by a Russian submarine to illustrate his point.
Speaking in Slovenia on Monday, Rutte joked about the diesel-powered Novorossiysk submarine, which was reportedly struggling on its journey home from the Mediterranean.
Russia's Black Sea Fleet quickly refuted claims of any technical emergency, maintaining that the submarine was simply performing a scheduled inter-fleet transit. Moscow asserted that the vessel surfaced while passing through the narrow English Channel in strict compliance with international maritime navigation rules.
Despite Russia’s denial, reports from Dutch authorities indicated that the submarine was later observed under tow in the North Sea. Rutte seized on this apparent difficulty to mock Russia’s naval readiness. He contrasted the situation with the thrilling espionage depicted in Tom Clancy's 1984 novel, The Hunt for Red October. Rutte quipped that the vessel seemed less interested in military operations and more focused on "the hunt for the nearest mechanic." He further noted that Russia’s overall naval presence in the Mediterranean had been significantly reduced.
Social media and certain Telegram channels had previously raised concerns about the submarine, suggesting that fuel leaks in the hold while near the Strait of Gibraltar created a potential explosion risk.
The UK's Royal Navy confirmed its close monitoring of the vessel as part of a joint NATO surveillance operation. The frigate HMS Iron Duke tracked the Kilo-class submarine and its supporting tug for three days, from October 7 to 9, through the Channel and into the North Sea, before handing over duties to the Dutch navy.
This incident is the latest in a series of Russian naval movements through the Channel that have been closely shadowed by NATO forces. UK Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, emphasized that these tracking operations demonstrate Britain's commitment to its NATO allies and serve as a firm deterrent against Russian activity in European waters.