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Russian Sub Found

A Russian submarine has been found in Swedish waters

probably sank because of old age.

Who can identify the class?

It looks like a Golf class, but you'd need much better images to confirm that.

It's been identified as Whiskey Class.

The Soviets had subs prowling and grounding on the Swedish coastline during the Cold War. Is this a new found sub close to shore, or one that was somehow lost without explanation further out?

(I'll ask my Danish relatives for the short version story. And repeat their comments here.)

From the Swedish Armed Forces hompepage:

Sunken submarine found south of Gotland
Published: March 3, 2011 at 15:27

The Armed Forces have for about ten days had knowledge of the location and pictures of an older sunken submarine of the Soviet Whiskey-class, found in international waters south of the island of Gotland.

The Armed Forces have studied pictures and video and have determined that the submarine is:

* of whiskey-class (Project 613)
* probably not operational when it sank
* estimated to have sunk in the late 80s or early 90s
* most probably sunk under tow or transport

- From the pictures taken it can be concluded that the submarine is not affected by any kind of weapon effect. All operational equipment is removed, such as masts, lanterns and compasses on the bridge. There is also a towing cable on deck, "says Bo Rask, Chief of Staff at the Naval Tactical Command.

Given that the submarine is not considered to have been operational when it sank, it has a limited military value. The Armed Forces will examine the wreckage at a later date.

- There is no rush, it is probably a submarine that was about to be scrapped and sunk when it was being towed, "says Bo Rask.