A pair of Russian naval vessels have suffered significant technical problems in separate locations – one in the Mediterranean Sea and the other in the Azov region.
On September 27, the Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU known for having intelligence sources claimed that the Novorossiysk, a Project 636.3 submarine, encountered a serious failure in its fuel system while deployed in the Mediterranean. The malfunction reportedly allowed fuel to seep into the bilge area of the vessel. According to the outlet's sources, the submarine's crew does not have the spare parts or the technical expertise required to resolve the issue on board.
The channel reported: "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."
They added: "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."
United24 Media further writes that VChK-OGPU also reported the severe damaging of the Project 21631 Buyan-M missile corvette Vyshny Volochyok after colliding with a civilian tanker in the Temryuk Bay of the Azov Sea. The incident happened on August 7 "combat tasks" and images show significant structural damage to the vessel's hull.
Earlier in August, a brand-new Russian Navy tugboat, Kapitan Ushakov, sank during final outfitting at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg, United24 Media reports.
Speaking to The Guardian earlier this year, Michael Kofman, an expert on the Russian military at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that issues on Russian naval vessels are common.
He said: "The Russian navy has historically struggled with maintenance and readiness issues. Fires are not uncommon. Operations are undoubtedly taking a toll on an ageing Russian fleet, which lacks sufficient maintenance and support facilities."
