Russian Submarine Kazan Leaves Cuba with Visible Damage, But Experts Say It's Operational

Russian naval ships, including the submarine Kazan, left Cuba after a visit. The submarine showed visible damage, but experts say it won't impact its performance.

Russian Submarine Kazan Leaves Cuba

On Monday, Russian naval ships departed from Cuba after a five-day official visit. Among them was the submarine Kazan, which exhibited visible damage including falling panels.

Visible Damage on Submarine Kazan

Despite the shabby appearance, experts assured that the damage would not impact the submarine's performance. An OSINT analyst, Marijn Markus, shared photos on LinkedIn, highlighting soundproofing panels falling off the front part of the submarine's hull, potentially compromising its stealth capabilities. Markus also pointed out a "gaping" hole at the sub's midsection and mentioned Russian divers being seen around the sub, presumably attempting to repair the damage.

Expert Opinions on the Damage

However, military experts noted that the observed damage is common and should not significantly affect the sub's operational capabilities. Richard Kouyoumdjian Inglis, an officer in Chile's naval reserve, explained that the tiles, though important for stealth, are prone to getting loose and falling off. While this may make the sub easier to detect, the extent of the damage observed was not considered critical by experts.

John Hardie, the deputy director of the Russia program at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, also mentioned that such issues with tiles are common among various navies, including the US. Additionally, a former UK Royal Navy submariner, identified as Mark C, acknowledged the operational wear-and-tear but affirmed that the vessel remained capable of performing its role.

Departure from Cuba and Planned Military Drills

The Kazan, accompanied by three Russian surface ships, departed from Havana's port in Cuba after the official visit, which included planned military drills in the Atlantic. The submarine's next destination remains unclear, although US officials suggested the possibility of it stopping in Venezuela.

Concerns and Global Power Display

Concerns have been raised by the US and its Western allies about the Kazan class of submarines due to its striking capabilities and stealth. Notably, the US official mentioned Russia's deployment of warships to Cuba as an attempt to demonstrate its navy's global power despite recent losses in the sea around Ukraine.