Future Reference #2 Three-Card Monte (Russian Kilos)

UPDATE: WALL STREET JOURNAL, JANUARY 5, 2010 Chinese Evade U.S. Sanctions on Iran
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The public relations value of military submarines can sometimes be hinted by the publication of related photography. The unusual transfer below was obviously not intended to be a covert affair between Russia and China. Rather, it was a graphic message (public domain) underscoring communiqués (diplomatic domain) to a Western state concerning Taiwan.



Veteran submariners will appreciate that since the earliest days of military submarines (e.g. Turtle, Hunley) such vessels have been subjected to 'cloaking' (submarines are always silent and strange). When sub secrecy has been relaxed, observors more alert than Hugo may wish to consider why. An apparent malfunction can actually be a convenient cover story for reshuffling or upgrading submarines. Even children learn to ask, Where is Waldo?
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What are we to think then, when Russia's navy would rather incur another black eye (Submarine accident reflects crisis in navy) than explain last November's Alrosa incident? Strange, no photos of Alrosa under tow or in a drydock have been published since.
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Molten Eagle's author, an investigator, is accustomed to elevating coincidence. Sudden news blackouts of both Sarov and Alrosa, subs of similar size and specialized capabilities are not to be dismissed. While we mention two Russian subs, we certainly cannot rule out a game of Three-card Monte involving other Kilo(s).
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Submarines are always silent and strange.