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Russian Submarine Grounded on Barents Sea Bed
A Russian nuclear submarine on a training mission has been grounded on the Barents seafloor after experiencing technical problems, but authorities said there were no nuclear weapons on board.
The multipurpose "Kursk" failed to respond to radio signals at a predetermined time but communications with crewmembers were re-established later, the Interfax news agency reported Monday, quoting the Russian Navy press service.
Rescue vessels have arrived on the scene to provide assistance to the stricken sub. The submarine's atomic power plant has been taken off line and is under control with radiation at normal levels, the press service said.
The Russian Northern Fleet started its routine exercises last Thursday aimed at improving cooperation between the ships of the versatile aircraft carrier group and other forces of the fleet, Russian media reported.
The exercises were designed to check practical skills in the control of subordinate forces in their preparation for, deployment and conduct of combat operations, arrangements for cooperative action of fleet forces at sea, the Itar-Tass news agency reported earlier.
The war games, which involved 20 warships, submarines and auxiliary vessels and 10 coast units, were scheduled to end on Sunday.
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