Russian Navy Submarine Sparks Concerns After Fuel Leak Near Gibraltar

GIBRALTAR, September 27, 2023 — The Russian submarine RFS Novorossiysk sparked concerns this week after reports surfaced of a fuel leak, creating potential hazards while navigating towards Atlantic waters.

After a port visit in Algiers ending September 18, the Kilo-class submarine, accompanied by the Goryn-class tug Yakov Grebelskiy, was spotted leaving the Mediterranean on September 26. Reports from the Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU initially claimed the vessel had been disabled by a fuel leak. However, images captured atop the Rock of Gibraltar indicated the submarine was moving under its own power.

The Novorossiysk’s departure coincided with the entry of the Steregushchy-class corvette RFS Boiky, which was escorting the arms carrier Sparta IV, reportedly bound for Port Said with arrival expected on October 4. Analysts suggest Sparta IV may be disguising its actual destination as Russian arms runners often use false declarations.

“In the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, there were 10 Russian warships in the Mediterranean,” noted one observer, citing the significant drop to just a single corvette escorting a cargo ship as the current naval presence.

As the Sparta IV heads towards Tartus, it could indicate renewed cooperation between Russia and Syria, potentially involving the delivery of military supplies. The activity has been closely monitored by a US Navy Poseidon P-8A aircraft based in Sicily.

Concern regarding the Novorossiysk intensified when it was revealed that a major leak in its fuel system had created the risk of explosion, an alarming situation in the heavily trafficked shipping lanes near the UK. Eyewitness accounts and tracking data confirmed a heightened military presence around the submarine. “The accumulated fuel in the hold is an explosive hazard,” reported a sailor. “The crew has no choice but to start pumping out the hold directly into the sea.”

In response, two French warships and a Spanish frigate were deployed to monitor the situation, amid fears that the submarine could detonate.

The Novorossiysk, armed with six torpedoes and capable of launching cruise missiles, has a complex operational history, having been previously observed in the Mediterranean and near Britain. Its current status raises critical questions about the Russian Navy’s operational effectiveness as it faces intensified scrutiny.

Efforts from various military powers to maintain surveillance reflect the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the increasingly precarious nature of naval operations in the region.