Russian Research Vessel Looks For Answers In Kursk Saga
A Russian research vessel was on its way to the site where Russia's nuclear submarine Kursk sank last month to investigate the extent of the damage, naval officials were quoted as saying on Saturday. Itar-Tass news agency quoted the Northern Fleet, as saying the Mstislav Keldysh, which once filmed the wreck of the Titanic, would refuel on the Arctic coast near Murmansk and sail to the spot in the Barents Sea where the nuclear-powered Kursk plunged to the bottom. The ship has two deep-water submersibles. It would film the wreck as part of preparations to recover the remains of the Kursk's 118 crew. The Kursk sank with all crew onboard on August 12 and is lying 354 ft. (108 m) below the surface. Russia has said the Kursk sank after a collision with a foreign vessel.
Russia Claims It Heard "SOS" From Foreign Sub
Russia recorded SOS signals from a foreign submarine when its own nuclear submarine, the Kursk, was sinking with 118 sailors on board in August, a top navy commander reportedly has said. The cause of the accident with the Kursk in the Barents Sea remains unclear but Russian officials have said a collision was a possibility. The United States and Britain have denied their submarines were involved. Northern Fleet commander Vyacheslav Popov told the newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta there was growing evidence the Kursk sank after a collision with a foreign vessel. "The 'Polinom' hydro-acoustic system located SOS signals sent by a mechanical transmitter," Popov said, referring to Russian naval surveillance equipment.
