NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has mocked Russia over the "difficulties in moving" one of its submarines, while Russian authorities deny that it was forced to surface due to technical problems, Reuters reported.
The Russian Black Sea Fleet said that the diesel submarine "Novorossiysk" has surfaced off France to comply with navigation rules in the English Channel, and has denied reports that it has suffered a serious malfunction.
But Dutch authorities said at the weekend that the submarine was being towed in the North Sea.
Rutte, speaking in Slovenia, said the submarine was "broken".
"There is now practically no Russian naval presence left in the Mediterranean. There is only one lone and damaged Russian submarine returning from patrol," he said. "What a change from the plot of Tom Clancy's 1984 novel "The Hunt for Red October". Today, things look more like a search for the nearest mechanic."
The "Telegram" channel The "VKhK-OGPU", which publishes alleged leaks from Russian security forces, reported last month that the "Novorossiysk" submarine had serious technical problems, including a fuel leak in the hold, which increased the risk of an explosion.
The Russian Black Sea Fleet said today that the "Novorossiysk" was making a "planned transition" after completing its tasks in the Mediterranean.
TASS reported that the "Novorossiysk", which entered service in 2014, is part of a group of submarines that carry "Caliber" cruise missiles.