Russia's sub that 'isolates' Cuba: analyst

• A Russian naval ship left Cuba on Monday after a five-day official visit.
• Among them, the submarine Kazan – with visible damage, including falling panels.
• Although an ugly look, it won't affect Saab's performance, experts told BI.

According to an OSINT analyst, one of Russia's most advanced new submarines, which just left Cuba, is “falling apart” with damage to its hull.

Marijan Marcus, managing consultant at Capgemini IT firm, shared four photos of a nuclear-powered Kazan on LinkedIn. post On Monday.

Marcus points to the soundproofing panels that “fell off” at the front of the submarine's hull. That would destroy its stealth capabilities, he said, making it “too” loud underwater and shining on gold.

He also points to what he describes as a “gap” hole in the midsection of the sub.

“While docked, Russian divers were seen around the sub, possibly trying to repair the tin tub,” he said.

Marcus did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

However, military experts told BI that the damage seen in the photo is normal and will not affect the sub's operational capabilities.

Richard Kouyumdjian, an officer in the Chilean Naval Reserve, told Inglis BI that the tiles are made of rubber and can loosen and fall off.

Losing lots of tiles will make it easier to find the sub, Inglis said. But the photos show only a few missing, not enough to make a difference, he said.

“Russian naval ships are not sophisticated and sometimes not well maintained, but that does not mean that something catastrophic will happen,” he said.

John Hardy, deputy director of the Russia program at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, told BI that such falling tiles are a “fairly common” problem for all navies, including the US.

Meanwhile, Mark Seay, a former UK Royal Navy submariner who declined to give his last name citing work-related cross-overs, said the vessel appeared to be suffering from operational wear and tear but was capable of performing its role.

“So it is very likely that it will continue its practice,” he told BI.

The Kazan, along with three Russian surface ships, left the port of Havana, Cuba, on Monday after a five-day official visit, including planned military exercises in the Atlantic. According to the Associated Press.

Its next destination is unclear, although U.S. officials said a few days ago that it might stop in Venezuela, according to the AP.

The US and its Western allies have been concerned about the relatively new Kazan-class submarines for years.

They mention its stealth and ability to strike both land and sea targets at little notice.

A U.S. official said on condition of anonymity that Russia's navy is still a global power despite heavy losses in the seas around Ukraine, an attempt by Russia to send warships to Cuba, the AP reported earlier this month.