KQN has drawn Submarine Matter's attention to a January 21, 2018 Russian claim that the Russian Navy intentionally set a Russian conventional, diesel-electric, Kilo class submarine on fire, on January 21, as part of a “damage control exercise”. This fire was/is at Vladivostok Main Naval Base, Russian Pacific Fleet.
The Kilo is most likely part of the Russian Pacific Fleet's, Vladivostok, 19th Submarine Brigade and may well be an unimproved Project 877 Kilo (likely Pennant Number "B-260", "B-445", "B-394", "B-464", "B-494", "B-187", "B-190" or "B-345"). Intentionally starting a fire is highly unlikely given the cost of a Kilo and close proximity of several other Kilo subs near the fire (see photo below).
![]()
The Kilo is most likely part of the Russian Pacific Fleet's, Vladivostok, 19th Submarine Brigade and may well be an unimproved Project 877 Kilo (likely Pennant Number "B-260", "B-445", "B-394", "B-464", "B-494", "B-187", "B-190" or "B-345"). Intentionally starting a fire is highly unlikely given the cost of a Kilo and close proximity of several other Kilo subs near the fire (see photo below).
Russian Kilo submarine on fire, January 21, 2018, at Vladivostok. (Photo courtesy Anonymous Russian via a scoop by Tyler Rogoway, The Drive January 21, 2018, website).
---
It will be interesting if the Russians admit the real reason, eg:
- residual diesel fuel vapour catching alight
- angle grinder or welding equipment started a fire of insulation or diesel fuel vapour between the
outer hull and pressure hull,
- battery maintenance causing release of flammable Hydrogen gas from the batteries, leading to fire.
OR
- fire of highly volatile torpedo propellant, then subsequent "cooking-off" of torpedo warheads
Precents include:
- the welding caused fire between outer and pressure hulls on the Russian Oscar class SSGN "Orel"
on April 8, 2015
- the fire and explosion of IndianKilo submarine INS Sindhurakshak, on August 14, 2013.
- the welding caused fire between outer and pressure hulls on the Russian Oscar class SSGN "Orel"
on April 8, 2015
- the fire and explosion of IndianKilo submarine INS Sindhurakshak, on August 14, 2013.
Pete