Copyright dailyrecord
A Russian attack submarine capable of carrying nuclear weapons has declared a major alert in the Mediterranean Sea, after "serious technical problems" were reported. The 242ft-long Black Sea Fleet Novorossiysk vessel has allegedly flagged an "explosive hazard" on board . According to Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, it has suffered a dangerous fuel leakage. Its crew may have no option but to pump the fuel into the sea. The exact location of the incident has yet to be confirmed, the Mirror reports . The channel stated: "Novorossiysk, currently on combat duty in the Mediterranean Sea, is experiencing serious technical problems. Due to damage in the fuel system, fuel is leaking directly into the hold. There are no spare parts for repairs or qualified specialists on the submarine, and the crew is unable to fix the malfunctions. “The serious accident has caused other problems as well. The accumulated fuel in the hold is an explosive hazard. The source believes the crew has no choice but to start ‘pumping out the hold’ directly into the sea.” The diesel-electric submarine is designed to carry nuclear-capable Kalibr missiles, but is said to be unlikely to be doing so on such a mission, although it will be heavily armed . No official statement has been issued suggesting it is in trouble. It has a 52-strong crew and can stay underwater for 45 days. A Royal Navy patrol ship, a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron and a specialist submarine-hunting Merlin aircraft monitored the surfaced sub as it passed through the North Sea and English Channel at the beginning of July. In August, it was spotted passing Gibraltar to enter the Mediterranean. Channel VChK-OGPU, which specialises in leaks from Russian security services and law enforcement, previously reported other naval accidents asserting cover-ups by Russian military. No further details on the Novorossiysk were provided. It is not believed to have been involved in the war in Ukraine . However, Ukraine claimed it sank its sister vessel Rostov-on-Don in August last year.
