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NATO chief Mark Rutte has mocked Russia over the condition of one of its submarines after it was seen surfacing off France, while Moscow has rejected reports of any malfunction, claiming the vessel was simply complying with navigation rules during a routine transit.<\/p>\n
According to Russia\u2019s Black Sea Fleet, the diesel-electric submarine Novorossiysk surfaced off the French coast as part of a \u201cscheduled inter-fleet transit\u201d after completing operations in the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n
The fleet said the vessel was following international navigation regulations, which require submarines to travel through the English Channel only while on the surface.<\/p>\n
The Russian submarine, Novorossiysk, was escorted through the North Sea by the Dutch navy and a towing vessel, Yakov Grebelsky, drawing international attention.<\/p>\n
The Royal Navy reported monitoring the surfaced submarine and its support tug between 7 and 9 October as they moved from the English Channel into the North Sea, part of a coordinated NATO tracking operation.<\/p>\n
Speaking at an event in Slovenia, Rutte\u00a0reportedly joked that the submarine appeared \u201cbroken\u201d and was \u201climping home from patrol\u201d, adding that there was now \u201chardly any Russian naval presence left in the Mediterranean\u201d.<\/p>\n
He compared the situation to Tom Clancy\u2019s famous Cold War novel, adding that it seemed \u201cmore like the hunt for the nearest mechanic\u201d than The Hunt for Red October.<\/p>\n
Speculation over possible technical issues first emerged on 27 September, when VChK-OGPU, a Telegram channel known for publishing alleged Russian security leaks, claimed that fuel had leaked into the hold of the Novorossiysk in the Strait of Gibraltar, increasing the risk of an explosion.<\/p>\n
NATO\u2019s Maritime Command also released photographs on 9 October showing a French navy frigate observing a surfaced Russian submarine off the coast of Brittany. The command said on social media that NATO forces remained vigilant and ready to defend the Alliance, though it did not identify the vessel.<\/p>\n
In a statement issued on Monday, the Russian Black Sea Fleet dismissed all reports of a malfunction, describing them as \u201cinaccurate\u201d. It said the submarine, which entered service in 2014 and is capable of carrying Kalibr cruise missiles, had not experienced any emergency surfacing.<\/p>\n
The fleet reiterated that the surfacing was carried out in accordance with international maritime navigation regulations.<\/p>\n
The UK\u2019s Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, commented that the Royal Navy\u2019s latest operation was a \u201cclear sign\u201d of the UK\u2019s commitment to stand strong with NATO allies and counter Russian aggression.<\/p>\n
The monitoring operation came only two weeks after the Royal Navy had tracked a Russian frigate and cargo vessel passing through the Channel.<\/p>\n