The Novorossiysk’s Troubled Journey
A Russian submarine, the B-261 Novorossiysk, is reportedly in distress somewhere in the Atlantic, according to opposition Telegram channel Cheka-OGPU. This sub, which belongs to the Black Sea Fleet and was once stationed in Syria, ran into what are described as “serious technical problems” while operating in the Mediterranean Sea. The anonymous author behind the channel specified:
“After a failure of the fuel system, fuel is leaking directly into the bilge.”
Not exactly the kind of maritime leak you fix with a towel and some duct tape. But the problems don’t stop there. The crew, it turns out, has neither spare parts nor qualified specialists on board, rendering them unable to properly repair the malfunctions. The report goes on:
“There are neither spare parts nor qualified specialists on board, and the crew is unable to fix the failures. This serious accident has led to additional issues. The fuel accumulating in the bilge is explosive. Our source believes the crew has no choice but to start pumping the fuel out and dumping it at sea.”
A Risky Solution—and Anxious Crew
Talk about being stuck between a rock and a wet place. The highly flammable fuel pooling inside the submarine poses a severe risk—not only for the vessel itself but potentially for the surrounding environment. Desperate times, it seems, are calling for desperate (and environmentally questionable) measures, as the crew reportedly began getting rid of the leaking fuel straight into the ocean to avoid an explosion.
The drama has even spilled above the waves. On Friday, September 26, the Russian sub was spotted on the surface as it sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar—a rare event for a vessel that’s supposed to stay hidden beneath the sea. Most likely, the Novorossiysk is now making its way toward a Russian base for repairs, and could soon be seen transiting the Strait of Dover, a route it reportedly takes quite regularly.
What Do We Know About This Submarine?
The Novorossiysk is one of 24 Kilo-class submarines, a series built between 1984 and 2016. This particular vessel was launched from the shipyards in St. Petersburg in November 2014. Here’s what you need to know about its specs:
- Length: approximately 239 feet (72.8 meters)
- Displacement: about 2,350 metric tons surfaced, up to 3,100 metric tons submerged
- Crew: 52 people, including 12 officers
- Propulsion: diesel-electric, with two engines producing a total of 5,900 hp
Russian Navy’s Ongoing Woes
It’s not just this one submarine feeling the pinch. According to Cheka-OGPU and its sources within Russia, things are looking grim for the Black Sea Fleet as a whole. As one source bitterly notes:
“One after another, the ships return to their base, shrouded under tarps. And these are the most valuable missile-launching vessels, of which the Black Sea Fleet has only a handful. Who is responsible if half the ships are immobilized and can’t set out to sea?”
Ukraine’s success in damaging or sinking several Russian navy ships in the Black Sea—most famously the flagship cruiser Moskva—has further depleted the fleet. The source adds:
“What is precious and combat-ready gets destroyed in the calm waters of the Sea of Azov. The fault doesn’t lie with the young officers and sailors, but with the commander who failed to train them—yet still insists on his high level of preparedness to fleet command, which cheers him on. It seems the Black Sea Fleet is capable of slowly self-destructing, no outside help needed.”
Not exactly an inspiring message for anyone thinking of enlisting. But for now, all eyes are on the luckless Novorossiysk and its combustible conundrum, as it limps home toward a much-needed overhaul.
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John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
