Nato chief Mark Rutte jokes about ‘limping’ Russian submarine

Nato chief Mark Rutte joked concerning the situation of Russia’s naval fleet on Monday as Moscow denied considered one of its submarines needed to floor due to technical issues.

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet stated the diesel-powered submarine Novorossiysk had surfaced off France to adjust to navigation guidelines within the English Channel, by which it was shadowed by a UK warship and helicopter.

Dutch authorities had stated on Saturday the submarine was underneath tow within the North Sea.

“What a change from the 1984 Tom Clancy novel The Hunt for Red October. Today, it seems more like the hunt for the nearest mechanic,” Rutte stated in a speech in Slovenia, saying the “broken” vessel was “limping” dwelling.

Rutte stated there was “hardly any Russian naval presence in the Mediterranean left”.

VChK-OGPU, a Telegram channel that publishes purported Russian safety leaks, reported on 27 September that gasoline was leaking into the maintain of the Novorossiysk within the Strait of ­Gibraltar, elevating the danger of an explosion.

As it was getting back from its deployment within the Mediterranean, the Royal Navy stated it tracked the vessel over three days, from 7 to 9 October.

Taking half in joint Nato efforts, the navy stated HMS Iron Duke monitored the surfaced Russian Kilo-class submarine and its help tug as they handed by the Channel and into the North Sea.

On Saturday, the Dutch defence ministry stated the Dutch navy had then escorted the Novorossiysk and the accompanying towing vessel.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet stated on Monday that the submarine, a part of a bunch of submarines that carry Kalibr cruise missiles, was conducting a “scheduled inter-fleet transit”.

“Information disseminated by a number of media outlets about an alleged malfunction and, as a result, the emergency surfacing of the diesel-electric submarine Novorossiysk off the coast of France does not correspond to reality,” the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s press service stated, as quoted by Interfax information company.

“In accordance with international navigation regulations, submarines are to navigate the English Channel only while on the surface,” it added.

The incident comes two weeks after the Royal Navy tracked a Russian frigate and cargo vessel by the Channel.

Al Carns, minister for the armed forces, stated the navy’s newest operation was “a clear sign of how the UK stands strong with our NATO allies to push back against Russian aggression”.

In June, a Russian warship disguised itself utilizing a pretend ID sign whereas travelling by the English Channel with two sanctioned oil tankers, a BBC Verify investigation discovered.

It travelled alongside two vessels identified to be a part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” – a community of tankers whose possession might be obscured and are used to move sanctioned oil merchandise.