The Dutch defence ministry has denied a mysterious submarine spotted in difficulty off the coast of Sweden is Dutch.

Russia has said the submarine, which was seen on Friday, is Dutch and had strayed illegally into Russian territorial waters.

‘To reduce tension in the Baltic and to save Swedish taxpayers money, we would advise them to focus on the Dutch navy leadership,’ a Russian source told Russia Today.

The Dutch navy denies the sub is the Bruinvis which has been on training exercises with other marine vessels in the Baltic Sea for the past few weeks, broadcaster Nos reported.

‘It was not the Bruinvis which possibly sent out a distress signal on Friday,’ a spokesman said.

Stockholm on Sunday released a photograph showing what is thought to be a damaged Russian submarine. The Swedish navy is currently engaged in what Dutch media say is the biggest naval operation since the Cold War trying to trace the vessel.