Overview

• An opposition-linked Telegram channel, Tchéka-OGPU, alleges a damaged fuel system is spilling fuel into the hold, creating an explosion risk and leaving the crew without parts or specialists to fix it.
• Mer et Marine and military sources say the submarine has shown no distress signals, is moving under its own power, and reportedly submerged on Sunday after being seen south of Portugal.
• The Novorossiisk crossed the Strait of Gibraltar on September 26 alongside the supply ship Yakov Grebelsky and has since been followed by NATO assets, including repeated U.S. Navy P-8 patrol flights.
• Reports suggest Russian support vessels such as the cargo ship Lauga may be heading to assist, though any rescue or towing operation remains unconfirmed and Moscow has not commented.
• Key facts remain disputed, including the crew size reported as 52 or 82, as analysts note the episode highlights maintenance strains and logistics hurdles facing Russia’s diesel-electric Kilo-class fleet.