Overview

• A French frigate detected and monitored a Russian submarine operating on the surface off Brittany, NATO Maritime Command said in a public message stressing vigilance.
• Multiple outlets identified the vessel as the Kilo-class Novorossiysk (B-261) from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
• Pro-Russian Telegram channels and some media alleged a serious technical fault, including a fuel or engine problem, forced the boat to surface.
• Russia rejected the malfunction reports and said the submarine was on a routine transfer and surfaced to comply with English Channel navigation rules, according to statements reported by Reuters and Tass.
• The Dutch defense ministry said the Novorossiysk, accompanied by the tug Yakov Grebelsky, was escorted in the North Sea, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte mocked talk of a “broken” sub in remarks highlighting diminished Russian naval presence.