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Russian submarine Novorossiysk surfaces near Gibraltar after fuel leak sparks explosion risk

A Russian Improved Kilo-class submarine of the Black Sea Fleet, the Novorossiysk (B-261), experienced a major technical failure while on duty in the Mediterranean in late September 2025. On September 27, 2025, the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU leaked documents reporting that damage to the fuel system created an explosion risk and forced the submarine to surface near the Strait of Gibraltar, while GBC (Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation), the public service broadcaster for Gibraltar, said questions had been put to the UK Ministry of Defence and that local authorities regarded the matter as one for the MoD. Read full defense news at this link...

The Novorossiysk, commissioned in 2014, is the lead unit of the Project 636.3 class, also referred to as Improved Kilo II, and carries six 533 mm torpedo tubes that can launch torpedoes, naval mines, or Kalibr cruise missiles. (Picture source: X/Peter Ferrary)



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