I hunted Russian submarines: this is how to beat Putin's navy

We surface a story that’s been making waves. A Russian
diesel-electric submarine, The Novorossiysk, is being trailed
through the North Sea by NATO ships, sparking headlines about a
“crippled” vessel and “embarrassment for Moscow.” But is it
really in trouble? Or are we, once again, jumping to Cold
War-style conclusions?


Yes, it leaked fuel last month. Boats do that. It’s now heading
home. They do that too. It’s been politely shadowed by eleven
ships from six nations—Britain, France, the Dutch—all watching
closely, all behaving exactly as they should. And it’s on the
surface? Perfectly normal for a diesel-electric sub. These boats
run on a mix of diesel and battery power—surfacing to recharge
before diving again.


The truth is, diesel-electric submarines are both silent hunters
and noisy neighbours. On battery, they’re whisper quiet; on
diesel, they roar like thunder.


So, could The Novorossiysk simply be recharging, not retreating?
Is NATO flexing its muscles for show, rather than necessity? And
in an age of nuclear subs and high-tech stealth—are
diesel-electrics just relics running on borrowed time? Former
Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe dives deep into the story.


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/15/russia-navy-putin-mediterranean-naval-threat/


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/14/broken-russian-submarine-novorossiysk-channel-north-sea-tug/


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