A Russian submarine capable of carrying nuclear weapons has reportedly suffered a “serious accident” in the Mediterranean, with unconfirmed reports suggesting fuel is leaking from Putin’s 242ft Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk.
The submarine was spotted surfaced in the Strait of Gibraltar on Thursday, with Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU claiming the vessel is experiencing an “explosive hazard” due to fuel accumulating in the hold. The channel, which has links to Russian security services and over 330,000 subscribers, reported that the crew may have no choice but to pump fuel directly into the sea.
According to the Telegram report, the Novorossiysk, currently on combat duty in the Mediterranean Sea, is experiencing serious technical problems due to damage in the fuel system. “There are no spare parts for repairs or qualified specialists on the submarine, and the crew is unable to fix the malfunctions,” the channel stated.
The report added that “the accumulated fuel in the hold is an explosive hazard” and suggested the crew has no alternative but to start pumping out the hold directly into the Mediterranean waters. The channel gave no further details about the alleged incident.
The Novorossiysk’s reported difficulties echo the Kursk submarine disaster of August 2000, when 118 personnel died after hydrogen peroxide leaked and caused a torpedo explosion in the Barents Sea. That incident involved a Type 65-76A torpedo failure that triggered two explosions, splitting the submarine and causing it to sink rapidly.
The Novorossiysk is a diesel-electric attack submarine designed to carry nuclear-capable Kalibr missiles. With a crew of 52, the vessel can remain submerged for 45 days and has a maximum diving depth of approximately 300 metres.
The submarine, which belongs to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, has been unable to return to its home port since the start of the Ukraine invasion due to Turkey closing access to the Black Sea. It had been operating from Syria’s Tartus naval base until Russia abandoned the facility following the fall of Assad’s regime in December 2024.
In January 2025, the Novorossiysk left the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar and was tracked heading north towards the Baltic Sea, where Russia maintains naval facilities. NATO forces, including Portuguese Navy vessels, monitored its departure from the Mediterranean at that time.
Ukraine claims to have sunk the Novorossiysk’s sister submarine, Rostov-on-Don, in August 2024 during an attack on occupied Crimea. The Black Sea Fleet originally comprised six of these improved Kilo-class submarines.
The Royal Navy has maintained close surveillance of the Novorossiysk during its movements near British waters. In January, the submarine was shadowed through the English Channel by Royal Navy vessels as it transited from the Mediterranean.
Defence Secretary John Healey revealed to Parliament this week that in November 2024, he had authorised a Royal Navy nuclear submarine to surface next to the Russian spy ship Yantar as a deterrent measure. “We see you. We know what you’re doing,” Healey told MPs, confirming that British forces maintain constant surveillance of Russian naval movements.
The alleged incident comes as Russia struggles to maintain its naval presence in the Mediterranean following the loss of its Syrian base. Military analysts suggest Moscow is exploring alternative ports in North Africa, including facilities in Algeria and Libya, to support its Mediterranean operations.
The submarine’s reported mechanical troubles highlight the challenges facing Russia’s ageing naval fleet, particularly for vessels unable to return to their home ports for maintenance due to geopolitical restrictions.
Neither the Russian Defence Ministry nor NATO maritime command have commented on the reported incident. The submarine’s current status and location remain unconfirmed beyond the sighting in the Strait of Gibraltar.
If confirmed, any release of fuel into Mediterranean waters would raise serious environmental concerns and could trigger international maritime protocols for pollution incidents.
The Novorossiysk entered service in 2014 and has been deployed multiple times in support of Russian operations in Syria. Its current difficulties, if verified, would mark another setback for Russia’s diminished Mediterranean naval presence.
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