Moscow (Parliament Politics Magazine) – NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte publicly mocked the Russian submarine Novorossiysk for its reported technical problems, describing it as “broken” and “limping home” from patrol. Russian officials denied any malfunction, asserting the submarine surfaced near France as part of a scheduled transit.
NATO Criticism of Russian Submarine’s Condition
As reported by Bart H. Meijer and Mark Trevelyan of Reuters, NATO chief Mark Rutte ridiculed the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s diesel-electric submarine Novorossiysk during a speech in Slovenia on October 13, 2025. He described the vessel as “broken” and highlighted the diminished Russian naval presence in the Mediterranean, saying, “There is a lone and broken Russian submarine limping home from patrol.” Rutte referenced the contrast with Tom Clancy’s 1984 novel, The Hunt for Red October, sarcastically noting, “Today, it seems more like the hunt for the nearest mechanic.”
The Dutch Defense Ministry reported that the Novorossiysk was escorted by the Dutch navy alongside the tugboat Yakov Grebelsky while under tow in the North Sea after surfacing off the coast of Brittany, France, on October 9. NATO Maritime Command released images showing a French navy frigate observing the surfaced submarine near Brittany, underlining heightened maritime vigilance.
Russian Denial of Malfunction Claims
The Russian Black Sea Fleet rejected suggestions that technical faults forced the submarine to surface, asserting it was conducting a “planned inter-fleet transit” following operations in the Mediterranean. As reported by Arab News and Telegrafi, Russian authorities emphasized that the submarine’s surfacing near the English Channel was in compliance with navigation regulations rather than due to mechanical issues.
Leaks and Reports of Fuel Leak Issues
According to reports by the VChK-OGPU Telegram channel—known for leaking alleged Russian security information—fuel had been leaking into the submarine’s reservoir since late September, raising the risk of an explosion. The crew reportedly lacked the qualified personnel required to repair the damage onboard and thus surfaced to drain the flooded compartment directly into the sea to avoid catastrophic failure, according to Kyiv Independent.
The NL Times detailed that the Novorossiysk could not access repair facilities in Black Sea or Syrian ports due to military and political restrictions, necessitating its transit toward northern waters under NATO surveillance for emergency maintenance.
Naval Strategic Implications
Mark Rutte commented that Russia’s Mediterranean naval capabilities have significantly diminished, with Novorossiysk apparently the last submarine operational in the region. NATO maintains increased maritime surveillance and readiness, with the alliance reiterating its commitment to defending member states and monitoring naval activities across the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Submarine Details and Context
The Novorossiysk, which entered service in 2014, is equipped with Kalibr long-range cruise missiles and is part of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Its compromised operational status reflects broader strains on Russian military resources amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The incident illustrates potential vulnerabilities in Russia’s naval assets presented to NATO and European security actors (as covered by Euronews and Telegrafi).
Summarising the Incident
In summary, NATO leadership openly mocked the condition of Russia’s Novorossiysk submarine amidst reports of mechanical failure and emergency surfacing. While Russian official statements deny any malfunction, independent reports and leaked sources indicate serious fuel leaks compromised the vessel’s safety. The episode underscores intense maritime rivalry and the strategic importance of naval power projection in contested European waters.