MOSCOW, October 20. /TASS/. The Swedish side’s search for a Russian submarine in the Baltic Sea was unsuccessful because there was no such submarine there, a Russian Defense Ministry source told TASS on Monday, commenting on the reports about a submarine in distress.

“On Sunday, October 19, the Russian Defense Ministry provided assistance wherever possible to the Swedes in their unsuccessful search, saying that there were no incidents with Russian warships [in the Baltic Sea], including submarines,” the source said. “In principle, the very fact of this official statement should have made the Swedish navy command understand that they were mistaken.”

“For easing tension in the Baltic Sea and saving Swedish taxpayers’ money, we would advise [the Swedish side] to request explanations from the Dutch Navy command,” the source said. The thing is, he added, that during the last week the Dutch Walrus-class diesel-electric submarine Bruinvis was engaged in drills not far from Stockholm. The drills included emergency ascent the photos of which got into the Swedish press.

“On October 17, the Dutch submarine Bruinvis called at Tallinn port (Estonia) and today will possibly sail back. We cannot but hope that this information will help Swedish media fund it [the sub] on the back voyage to a naval base in the Netherlands,” the Russian Defence Ministry source said.