NATO Chief Mocks Russia’s ‘Broken’ Submarine as Moscow Denies Technical Failures in English Channel
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has taken a swipe at Russia’s navy after one of its submarines reportedly experienced technical problems while sailing through the English Channel. The incident has sparked a wave of online ridicule and renewed attention on the declining condition of Russia’s once-powerful naval fleet.
Speaking at a conference in Slovenia on Monday, Rutte joked about the state of the Russian military, saying, “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.” The remark drew laughter from the audience as he described the vessel as a “broken” submarine that was “limping” home.
The comments came after conflicting reports emerged about the condition of Russia’s diesel-powered submarine Novorossiysk, part of the Black Sea Fleet.
Russia Denies Emergency Surfacing Claim
The Russian Black Sea Fleet issued a statement denying reports that the Novorossiysk was forced to surface due to a malfunction. Instead, Moscow insisted that the submarine surfaced “in accordance with international navigation rules” while passing through the English Channel — a standard safety measure, it said.
“Information disseminated by certain media outlets about an alleged malfunction and emergency surfacing does not correspond to reality,” the fleet’s press service said, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency. “Submarines are required to navigate the English Channel only while on the surface.”
However, Dutch authorities offered a different account. On Saturday, the Netherlands’ defense ministry reported that the submarine was being towed through the North Sea, raising questions about whether it had suffered mechanical issues.
Conflicting Reports and Leaks
Speculation about the submarine’s condition began weeks earlier. On September 27, the Russian investigative Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, which often publishes alleged leaks from inside Russia’s security agencies, reported that the Novorossiysk had suffered a fuel leak while transiting the Strait of Gibraltar. The leak, according to the channel, created a risk of explosion and forced the vessel to alter its course.
The Royal Navy later confirmed that it had tracked the Novorossiysk between October 7 and 9 as it moved from the Atlantic into the English Channel and onward toward the North Sea. Over the three-day period, British naval forces monitored the surfaced submarine and its support tug, which accompanied it on the journey.
The UK’s HMS Iron Duke, a Type 23 frigate, shadowed the Russian vessel as part of NATO’s joint maritime surveillance efforts. A Royal Navy helicopter also provided aerial monitoring to ensure transparency and maritime safety.
Dutch Navy Steps In
After the submarine entered Dutch waters, the Dutch Navy took over escort duties from the Royal Navy. The Dutch Ministry of Defence confirmed on Saturday that it had followed the Novorossiysk and its towing vessel through the North Sea, maintaining close observation as part of NATO’s coordinated response to Russian naval movements.
Rutte emphasized that such incidents highlight the declining state of Russia’s naval power. “There is hardly any Russian naval presence left in the Mediterranean,” the NATO chief noted. “What was once a fleet that inspired fear is now barely operational.”
Russia Calls It Routine, NATO Sees Symbolism
Despite Moscow’s denials, Western military analysts say the incident illustrates broader weaknesses in Russia’s fleet, which has faced years of underfunding, sanctions, and logistical challenges due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet maintained that the submarine was merely carrying out a “scheduled inter-fleet transit”, moving from the Mediterranean back to its base in the Black Sea. The vessel is part of a fleet of submarines capable of firing Kalibr cruise missiles, a weapon system Russia has used extensively in its military campaign against Ukraine.
Still, the sight of a Russian warship being shadowed — and possibly towed — through NATO-controlled waters has fueled criticism and mockery online, with social media users comparing the event to “a scene from a Cold War comedy.”
Growing NATO Vigilance in European Waters
This was not the first time in recent months that NATO navies have intercepted or escorted Russian military vessels near European waters. Just two weeks ago, the Royal Navy tracked a Russian frigate and a cargo ship through the English Channel.
British Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, described the operation as “a clear sign of how the UK stands strong with our NATO allies to push back against Russian aggression.”
NATO members have increased surveillance of Russian maritime movements since the start of the Ukraine invasion in 2022, particularly in critical chokepoints like the Strait of Gibraltar, the Baltic Sea, and the North Sea, where Russian vessels often pass near NATO coastlines.
Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’ Raises Fresh Concerns
Earlier this year, a BBC Verify investigation uncovered that a Russian warship disguised itself using a fake ID signal while moving through the English Channel in June. The vessel sailed alongside two oil tankers believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” — a covert network of ships used to transport sanctioned oil products while concealing their true ownership and cargo.
Such tactics have raised concerns among NATO allies about Russia’s ability to bypass international sanctions and conceal military or economic activities at sea.
The Royal Navy and allied maritime forces have since expanded monitoring efforts to track ships suspected of using deceptive digital signals or masking their transponders — techniques that violate maritime safety regulations.
Rutte’s Remarks Underscore NATO’s Confidence
Mark Rutte’s lighthearted jab at Russia’s submarine troubles came with a serious undertone. As one of NATO’s most outspoken leaders, Rutte — the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister who recently became NATO Secretary-General — emphasized that Moscow’s diminishing naval capability reflects the long-term toll of international isolation and sanctions.
“Russia’s capacity to project power has eroded dramatically,” Rutte said. “Their military machinery is rusting, their economy is shrinking, and their global influence is waning. This should serve as a reminder of why unity within NATO matters.”
Military experts say the submarine incident, regardless of its exact cause, serves as a symbolic moment in the evolving balance of power between Russia and the West. It demonstrates NATO’s ability to coordinate across borders while showcasing Russia’s struggles to maintain its aging military fleet.
A Sign of Changing Tides
As the Novorossiysk makes its way back toward the Black Sea — whether under its own power or with assistance — it carries more than a technical burden. The episode underscores the shifting dynamics of naval power in Europe and highlights how far Russia’s military has fallen from its Cold War-era dominance.
While Moscow insists the submarine’s journey was routine, Western observers see it as another example of a weakened fleet under strain — and a powerful reminder of NATO’s continued vigilance in defending European waters.