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Why didthe Kursksink?

Kursk nuclear submarine

Twenty years ago, planned sea exercises in the Barents Sea ended in a horrifying tragedy. There were two explosions aboard the Kursk submarine. The vessel sank. All 118 members of the crew were killed.

According to the official version, the sailors’ deaths were accidental, caused by a fault in a training torpedo. There is another version, however, that’s set out in the book “The Death of the Kursk”. Its author, Vice-Admiral , was part of the government commission set up to look into the catastrophe. Ryazantsev’s conclusions didn’t go into the official account, and he was dismissed.

We have visualized the causes of the tragedy described in the book.

Ryazantsev, Valery Dmitrievich – 25 years’ submarine experience, test torpedo specialist and commander of nuclear submarines. At the time of the Kursk tragedy was Russian Navy Deputy Chief of General Staff for Training, now a retired vice-admiral. Commandeered by the Defense Ministry to the Government Commission investigating the Kursk tragedy, though his conclusions didn’t go into the official report.

Kursk – Pride of the Fleet

On August 10, 2000, The Kursk, a nuclear submarine, put out to see to take part in military Northern Fleet exercises. There were 118 seamen on board.

Annenkov Yuri

petty officer 2nd article of the contract service

Anikeev Roman

petty officer 2nd article of the contract service

Aryapov Rashid

lieutenant

Bagryantsev Vladimir

captain 1st rank

Baibarin Valery

midshipman

Baigarin Murat

captain 3rd rank

Balanov Alexey

midshipman

Bezsokirniy Vyacheslav

captain 3rd rank

Belov Mikhail

warrant officer

Belogun Viktor

captain 2 rank

Belozerov Nikolai

captain 3rd rank

Belyaev Anatoly

senior warrant officer

Borzhov Maxim

sailor

Borisov Andrey

senior warrant officer

Borisov Arnold

senior lieutenant

Borisov Yuri

sailor

Borkin Alexey

sailor

Bochkov Mikhail

warrant officer

Brazhkin Alexander

senior lieutenant

Bubniv Vadim

lieutenant

Vasilyev Andrey

lieutenant

Vitchenko Sergey

sailor

Vishnyakov Maxim

warrant officer

Vlasov Sergey

senior warrant officer

Gadzhiev Mamed Hajiyev

civilian expert

Geletin Boris

lieutenant

Gesler Robert

regardless of contract service

Gorbunov Evgeny

senior warrant officer

Gryaznih Sergey

midshipman

Gudkov Alexander

lieutenant

Druchenko Andrey

sailor

Dudko Sergey

captain 2nd rank

Evdokimov Oleg

sailor

Erasov Igor

senior warrant officer

Erahtin Sergey

lieutenant

Zubaidulin Resid

petty officer 1st article contract service

Zubov Alexey

warrant officer

Ivanov Vasily

warrant officer

Ivanov-Pavlov Alexei

lieutenant

Ildarov Abdulkadir

senior warrant officer

Isaenko Vasily

captain 2nd rank

Ishmuradov Fanis

midshipman

Kalinin Sergey

senior warrant officer

Kislinsky Sergei

warrant officer

Kirichenko Denis

lieutenant

Kichkiruk Vasily

senior warrant officer

Cazaderov Vladimir

senior warrant officer

Kozyrev Konstantin

warrant officer

Kokurin Sergey

captain-lieutenant

Kolesnikov Dmitry

captain-lieutenant

Kolomeytsev Alexey

sailor

Korobkov Alexey

senior lieutenant

Korovyakov Andrey

lieutenant

Kotkov Dmitry

sailor

Kubikov Roman

sailor

Kuznetsov Vitaly

senior warrant officer

Kuznetsov Vitaly

lieutenant

Larionov Alexey

sailor

Leonov Dmitry

petty officer 2nd article

Loginov Igor

sailor

Loginov Sergey

captain-lieutenant

Lyubushkin Sergey

lieutenant

Lyachin Gennady

captain 1st rank

Maynagashev Vyacheslav

chief petty contract service

Martynov Roman

sailor

Milyutin Andrey

captain 3rd rank

Mirtov Dmitry

sailor

Mityaev Alexey

lieutenant

Murachev Dmitry

captain 3rd rank

Naletov Ilya

sailor

Nekrasov Alexey

sailor

Neustroev Alexander

chief petty contract service

Nefedkov Ivan

sailor

Nosikovsky Oleg

captain-lieutenant

Pavlov Nikolay

sailor

Panarin Andrey

lieutenant

Paramonenko Viktor

midshipman

Polyanskiy Andrey

warrant officer

Pshenichnikov Denis

lieutenant commander

Rvanin Maxim

lieutenant

Repnikov Dmitry

lieutenant

Rodionov Mikhail

lieutenant

Romanyuk Vitaliy

warrant officer

Rudakov Andrey

captain 3rd rank

Ruzlev Alexander

senior warrant officer

Rychkov Sergey

warrant officer

Sablin Yuri

captain 2nd rank

Sadilenko Sergey

lieutenant

Sadkov Alexander

captain 3rd rank of the Cages

Sadovoy Vladimir

petty officer 2nd article of the contract service

Samovarov Yakov

warrant officer

Safonov Maxim

lieutenant

Svechkarev Vladimir

senior warrant officer

Sidyuhin Victor

sailor

Silogava Andrey

captain 3rd rank

Solorev Vitaly

lieutenant

Stankevich Alexey

captain of medical service

Staroseltsev Dmitry

sailor

Tavolzhanskiy Pavel

midshipman

Troyan Oleg

warrant officer

Tryanichev Ruslan

sailor

Tylek Sergey

lieutenant

Uzkiy Sergey

lieutenant

Fedorichev Igor

senior warrant officer

Fesak Vladimir

senior warrant officer

Fiterer Sergey

lieutenant

Halepo Alexander

sailor

Hafizov Nail

senior warrant officer

Hivuk Vladimir

midshipman

Tsymbal Ivan

senior warrant officer

Chernyshov Sergey

senior warrant officer

Shablatov Vladimir

midshipman

Shevchuk Aleksey

lieutenant

Shepetnov Yury

captain 2nd rank

Shubin Aleksandr

captain 2nd rank

Shulgin Alexey

sailor

Shawinskii Ilya

captain 3rd rank

Yansapov Salovat

regardless of contract service

118 crew members

The Kursk was a 949A Antaeus design. That name was no accident – in Greek mythology, the giant Antaeus, the son of Poseidon, was undefeatable.

The vessel was specially developed to fight American aircraft carriers. It had 24 cruise missiles and 24 torpedoes. Each could destroy an entire ship. The submarine’s armoring was capable of withstanding underwater explosions. This was a beautiful and highly-developed piece of weaponry.

9 compartment. Safety

Designed to allow the seamen to survive in the event of a catastrophe. There is an emergency hatch here, through which the sub can be exited. There are survival kits for 120 men and food stores for six days.

7th and 8th compartments. Turbines

The turbo-generator supplying the sub with electric energy and the equipment that powers the sub’s movement is located here. Underwater, the sub makes less noise than the sea itself.

6th compartment. Reactor

The “heart” of the submarine. There are 2 nuclear reactors that allow the sub to go on voyages of up to 4 months (until food stocks run out). They have enough power to supply a sizeable city with electricity.

5-b. Additional

Decontamination area. This is where radio-active materials are removed from surfaces following work in the reactor compartment.

5th compartment. Equipment

The diesel generator is located here, used if the turbo-generator fails, as well as the air regeneration apparatus.

4th compartment. Living quarters

This is where the seamen spend their free time. The galley, sleeping compartments and showers are located here, along with a sauna, gym and leisure room.

3rd compartment. Radio-electronics

Responsible for the sub’s link with the outside world. This is where the apparatus that receives target coordinates from the fleet command is located.

2nd compartment. Central

The sub’s “brains.” The central command post is located here, and it is from here that the submarine is controlled.

1st compartment. Torpedo

The military capability of the sub. There are 6 torpedo launchers here, 28 torpedoes and several batteries. The torpedoes are stored on special racks and then loaded into the launchers with a special mechanism.

Kursk nuclear submarine

The Kursk’s mission is to track down its nominal enemy being played by the Peter the Great Cruiser and carry out training shooting. The seamen successfully launch a winged rocket, now it’s time for volley firing (launch of several torpedoes from several launching devices simultaneously). This was planned for August 12.

The sub’s crew is regarded as the best in the Northern Fleet. However, due to poor financing of the fleet in the 1990s, the seamen hadn’t even fired training torpedoes in three years.

A DIRTY BOMB

August 11th — the day before the firing – the seamen check the missile. This is a 65-76 “Kit” training torpedo. There are no explosives in it, though there is an aggressive fuel oxidant – high-test peroxide, which allows the torpedo to go faster and further.

65-76 “Kit” Torpedo
65-76 “Kit” Torpedo

The high-test peroxide provides the 65-76 with its advantage, but also its main danger. If the peroxide for some reason mixes with the hydrocarbon gases – evaporating off the engine oil, kerosene, the wire casings – there will be an explosion. Due to accidents, similar torpedoes in the USA and Great Britain were no longer being used.

The sensors indicate that one torpedo has to be filled with compressed air. This is a standard procedure, similar to pumping the tires on a car. The submariners hook the torpedo up to the sub’s air supply system with a flexible pipe.

The air supply system hadn’t been used on the Kursk for a long time. The pipe hadn’t been cleaned or degreased for years. Dust and old lubrication micro-particles had built up in it over those years.

The compressed air mixes with this dirt and fills the torpedo’s air reservoir. The training torpedo is transformed into a bomb.

65-76 “Kit” Torpedo
65-76 “Kit” Torpedo

INADVERTENT MISTAKE

On August 12th, the next day, between 9 and 10 in the morning, the seamen load the torpedo into the launching device. Before doing so they remove the torpedo’s safety-mechanism: they switch the cocking valve from “off” to the “ready to operate” position.

A characteristic of the 65-76 torpedo is that when the valve is switched it doesn’t necessarily fix itself in the correct position precisely. That allows the compressed air to react with the peroxide. This appears to be what happened with the torpedo on the Kursk.

COCKING VALVE

According to the instructions, before loading the torpedo into the launching mechanism, the safety switch has to be checked.

Why didn’t the seamen check the dangerous valve? The answer is simple: They didn’t know what they were working with.

The crew had not used the peroxide torpedoes on the Kursk since its construction in 1995, which is to say never. Later the investigation would establish that the necessary instructions for the torpedoes weren’t even on board the sub.

Up to this point the dirty air had been kept apart from the fuel by the cocking valve. Now, due to the gap in the valve, the hydrogen peroxide began a violent chemical reaction with the particles of dirt. The pressure in the torpedo’s air reservoir began to rise.

EXPLOSION

At 11:28 the trigger cylinder inside the torpedo exploded. This immediately detonates 1,500 tons of hydrogen peroxide mixed with kerosene. The powerful explosion was recorded by a seismic station in Norway.

REGISTERING OF EXPLOSION IN NORWAY

Seven submariners in the 1st compartment die immediately from the blast. Through the hole in the roof of the torpedo mechanism the compartment is filled with water.

7 DEAD

111 ALIVE

Theoretically, there could have only been 7 victims of this tragedy. The sub could have gone into an emergency mode and surfaced. But that didn’t happen.

Antaeus class submarines have a specific feature in their design. When firing volleys from several weapons at once, the pressure in the torpedo section rises to such an extent that the seamen risk suffering contusions. To avoid this, before firing the torpedo crew unsealed their compartment, opening the ventilation between the compartments, in full accordance with their instructions.

The shock waves of the explosion pass through the ventilation ducts into the second compartment where the command station is located. The shock wave is weakened, but has sufficient force to inflict severe contusions and possibly deaths among the 36 submariners there.

7

3643 DEAD

75 ALIVE

The explosion causes the reactors and turbines to automatically shut down. The Kursk stops progress, only moving as a result of its momentum. Water fills the first compartment, and the sub begins to heel dangerous towards the bow.

SECOND EXPLOSION

A minute after the explosion, the angle of the heeling reaches 20°, in two minutes it is already 35°. After another 15 seconds, this multi-ton juggernaut hits the bottom. The full force of the blow is taken by the torpedo compartment.

At the moment of the collision, 10 live torpedoes explode with a force equivalent to 2 tons of TNT. This horrific explosion is recorded by seismographs all across Northern Europe.

The Kursk ploughs on for about 30 meters and stops, having dug 2.5 meters into the seabed. The 1st compartment no longer exists. Neither do the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th.

5-b – the reactor section – has been fitted with the toughest bulkhead, which stops the blast wave and suppresses its destructive force. It is only thanks to this bulkhead that the submariners in the 6th to 9th compartments are still alive. Of the 118 crewmembers, 23 remain.

43

5295 DEAD

23 ALIVE

SAFETY COMPARTMENT

The seamen make their way into the 9th compartment – the safety compartment – and hermetically seal it. There is already water in the compartment, however, which has got in through the technical piping. There is also fuel and technical oil in the water, which has spread through the sub following the explosion.

While the seamen block the leaks, a thin film of oil settles on the parts of the compartment.

The seamen don’t take any steps to abandon the submarine – they are confident that they will be saved. But no help comes. The air temperature falls to +4–7 degrees Celsius. There is not enough oxygen, and they breathe with difficulty. The emergency batteries run down, and the lights in the compartment die out.

At 15:00 the crew takes a decision to leave the submarine through the emergency hatch. In order to do that, a series of complex processes has to be carried out in total darkness. Firstly, oxygen is needed – at this point it can only be received from regenerative plates containing oxygen which have to be put into a special device.

The submariners find the plates in the darkness. This is their last, very slim chance. The plates can’t be used in premises where there is fuel or oil – if one drop gets on the plates by chance that will be enough for a fire that will burn at a temperature of up to 1000 degrees Celsius.

In total darkness, in a space covered in a film of oil, the submariners didn’t stand a chance. The fire flared up in an instant. There was no way to put it out, and the submariners didn’t have the strength anymore anyway.

95

23118 DEAD

not one alive

The submarine is found 17 hours after the explosion, when, according to Vice-Admiral Valery Ryazantsev, there were already no submariners left to save.

But what if the situation had developed in a different way and the submariners had waited for several days? Could a life perhaps have been saved?

A chronicle of the rescue operation gives an unambiguous answer to this question.

11:30

REGISTERING OF EXPLOSION

Hydro-acoustics on the Peter the Great Cruiser register a signal akin to that of an underwater explosion and report to the commanders of the exercises. Their report is ignored.

Discussion of project

12:30

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

The commander of the Northern Fleet Admiral Vyacheslav Popov informs the press that the exercises have been successfully carried out.

Discussion of project

14:40

SURFACING SIGNAL

The Kursk was supposed to rise to the surface an hour ago. Grenade explosions gave the signal alerting to an emergency surfacing. The submarine didn’t appear.

Discussion of project

18:30

BEGINNING OF SEARCH OPERATION

At the Northern Fleet command post a search-and-rescue post is set up.

Discussion of project

19:00

SEARCHES FROM THE AIR

Marine aviation planes are sent out to look for the Kursk.

Discussion of project

22:00

SEARCHES FROM THE AIR

The planes return to the airbase. The submarine hasn’t been found.

Discussion of project

23:30

START OF RESCUE OPERATION

The Kursk is declared to be in an emergency state.

Discussion of project

23:40

END OF EXERCISES

Surface vessels end their training exercises and begin looking for the Kursk.

Discussion of project

00:30

SEARCHES AT SEA

The M. Rudnitsky rescue vessel puts out to sea.

Discussion of project

04:50

SUBMARINE FOUND

The Peter the Great echo sounder identifies two anomalies on the sea bed.

Discussion of project

09:00

SUBMARINE FOUND

The M. Rudnitsky vessel arrives at the site of the two anomalies discovered.

Discussion of project

10:00

THE KURSK RESPONDS

The rescuers identified a signal from the emergency hydro-acoustic station on the Kursk, with a distance of 1800 meters to the submarine.

Discussion of project

11:30

BEGINNING OF RESCUE WORKS

The M. Rudnitsky moves to the area where the submarine is located and preparations for the launch of the AC-34 rescue apparatus are begun.

Discussion of project

17:30

FIRST DIVE

The AC-34 rescue apparatus begins to dive.

Discussion of project

18:30

FIRST DIVE

The AC-34 hits the Kursk, damages its engine and carries out an emergency surfacing. The apparatus requires repairs.

Discussion of project

22:40

SECOND DIVE

A second rescue apparatus, an AC-32, is lowered into the water.

Discussion of project

01:10

SECOND DIVE

The AC-32 surfaces. The coordinates given were wrong and the submarine wasn’t found.

Discussion of project

04:20

THIRD DIVE

The AC-34 is repaired and ready to be launched into the water.

Discussion of project

05:00

THIRD DIVE

The AC-34 discovers the Kursk and tries to land on the coaming platform (the emergency hatch) twice. Both attempts are unsuccessful.

Discussion of project

07:55

THIRD DIVE

The AC-34 surfaces and is raised onto the M. Rudnitsky so that its batteries can be recharged.

Discussion of project

11:03

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

The headquarters of the Russian Navy: “The Kursk submarine has landed on the sea bottom; radio communications with it have been maintained. There is no danger for the lives of the crew, the supplying of fuel and oxygen and the venting of the nuclear system is being carried out through the Kolokol (diving bell) rescue apparatus.

Discussion of project

16:00

ENDING OF RESCUE OPERATION

Works are stopped due to strong winds and waves.

Discussion of project

20:00

SENDING OF AC-36 APPARATUS

Orders are given to take an AC-36 rescue device to the site of the operations. As the Northern Fleet doesn’t have any more rescue vessels, it’s shipped on a floating crane.

Discussion of project

21:00

OFFER OF ASSISTANCE

Representatives of Norway and the NATO General Secretary George Roberts appeal to Russian representatives with offers of help in saving the crew on the submarine.

Discussion of project

11:00

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

A representative of the Navy headquarters Igor Dygalo: “The command of the Northern Fleet is undertaking all measures necessary to save the Kursk nuclear submarine … There are thought to be up to 130 men on the submarine. The crew is alive and there is acoustic contact with the submariners.”

Discussion of project

15:30

STATEMENT ON EVACUATION

Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev: “An operation to evacuate the crew from the Kursk submarine has begun in the Barents Sea.”

Discussion of project

20:00

PROBLEMS WITH AC-36

Due to heavy chop, the floating crane can’t transport the AC-36. A decision is taken to launch the apparatus into the water and tow it with a rescue tugboat.

Discussion of project

21:10

FOURTH DIVE

The AC-34 is launched. Due to the disturbed conditions the apparatus smashes against the sides of the M. Rudnitsky. The gyrocompass and the fairing of the hydro-acoustic guiding station are broken. Due to the damage, the apparatus is guided by the M. Rudnitsky.

Discussion of project

23:10

FOURTH DIVE

Three hours later the AC-34 discovers the Kursk and carries out two unsuccessful attempts to attach itself to the emergency hatch. Cause: the transfer chamber won’t drain of water.

Discussion of project

00:40

ANOTHER BREAKAGE

The AC-34 surfaces and is raised onto the M. Rudnitsky. Whilst being raised the motion system, periscope and propellers on the apparatus are damaged.

Discussion of project

03:50

SECOND STOPPING OF OPERATION

There are no fully operational rescue apparatus. A dismantling of the drive system of the AC-32 is begun in order to repair the AC-34. The AC-36 apparatus is on route.

Discussion of project

16:42

42 OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Chief Commander Kuroyedov: “The crew of the Kursk nuclear submarine is alive fighting to save the vessel. The sailors know that help is on the way and that has redoubled their efforts … The oxygen on board the vessel should last until August 25.

Discussion of project

17:00

NORWEGIAN SHIPS

Two Norwegians head off to the site of the tragedy: Seaway Eagle and Normand Pioneer, with divers and rescue equipment on board.

Discussion of project

16:00

RENEWAL OF OPERATION

The AC-34 is repaired.

Discussion of project

17:30

FIFTH DIVE

The AC-34 dives. After 3 hours the apparatus resurfaces, having carried out 6 landings on the emergency hatch. It was not able to connect.

Discussion of project

23:20

ARRIVAL OF AC-36

During towing, the rescue apparatus received damage to the vessel hydraulics, the guidance station antennae, the echo sounder, the ventilation valve on the left ballast cistern and the batteries. Repairs are begun.

Discussion of project

11:15

SIXTH DIVE

DIVE The repaired AC-36 dives. Within 15 minutes it makes an emergency resurfacing. Cause: seawater is getting inside the hull.

Discussion of project

22:50

SEVENTH DIVE

The AC-34 begins a dive. The guidance station on the apparatus is faulty, so guidance is carried out by the M. Rudnitsky vessel. The AC-34 surfaces after an hour, the submarine hasn’t been found.

Discussion of project

13:40

EIGHTH DIVE

The AC-36 dives, finds the Kursk and carries out 4 landings on the coaming platform. No connection is made.

Discussion of project

20:15

NINTH DIVE

The AC-34 dives. The guidance station on the apparatus remains defective, it is guided from the Peter the Great Cruiser. The submarine isn’t discovered. The apparatus requires repairs to its drive system.

Discussion of project

20:20

ARRIVAL OF “NORMAND PIONEER”

The Norwegian rescue vessel Normand Pioneer arrives in the area of the operation with Norwegian divers on board.

Discussion of project

08:00

ARRIVAL OF “SEAWAY EAGLE

The Norwegian rescue vessel Seaway Eagle arrives in the area of the operation with Norwegian and English divers.

Discussion of project

10:00

NORWEGIAN RESCUE OPERATION

An underwater apparatus with video camera is lowered from the Seaway Eagle to examine the hull of the sunken submarine.

Discussion of project

13:15

NORWEGIAN RESCUE OPERATION

The apparatus concludes its examination of the hull and is raised back on board

Discussion of project

15:20

FIRST DIVE

Three Norwegian divers lower themselves to the Kursk in order to examine the hatch and establish contact with the submariners.

Discussion of project

22:40

ALTERNATIVE GROUP

A group of Norwegian divers flies to the village of Vidyayevo by helicopter to study the rescue hatch on a submarine identical to the Kursk.

Discussion of project

00:30

RETURN OF DIVERS

Three divers conclude works and rise to the surface. No signs of life on board the submarine have been discovered.

Discussion of project

06:00

RETURN OF DIVERS

A group of divers returns from Vidyayevo village on the Normand Pioneer.

Discussion of project

07:00

SECOND DIVE

The Norwegian divers begin a second dive. At 8:55 they open the upper hood of the rescue hatch in the 9th section.

Discussion of project

12:25

SECOND DIVE

The divers open the lower hood of the rescue hatch and enter the 9th compartment. They discover the bodies of 23 crewmembers.

Discussion of project

12:30

REPORT AT HEADQUARTERS

Admiral reports to the General Staff Headquarters of the Navel Fleet on the deaths of the crewmembers of the K-141 Kursk nuclear submarine.

Discussion of project

12:00

OFFICIAL MOURNING

Russian President Vladimir Putin declares August 23, 2000, a day of mourning.

Discussion of project

23:00

END OF RESCUE WORKS

The AC-34 surfaces following a final examination of the hull of The Kursk. Admiral Popov declares the conclusion of the rescue works.

Discussion of project

Day 1
August 12