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CNN Sunday Morning

Russia Remembers a Submarine Disaster

Aired August 12, 2001 - 09:03   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Let's go overseas now. Russia is marking a grim day in its naval history. CNN's Steve Harrigan has the details in a videophone report from St. Petersburg.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEVE HARRIGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): One hundred and eighteen men from the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk are being remembered across the nation today, exactly one year after their death.

Still no official explanation from the Russian government as to what caused the two explosions that brought the Russian submarine to the bottom of the Barents Sea. Three versions still being discussed: A possible collision with another submarine, a possible exploding World War II mine and finally, the third version, given most credence by experts, possible problem with a torpedo on board the Kursk.

More answers are likely in the weeks ahead as the salvage operation gets underway in Russia's far north, a $70 million operation to bring the Kursk to the surface and also to fulfill a promise of Russian President Vladimir Putin to recover the bodies that went down with the submarine.

The tragedy caused grief across the nation, even across the world, and was also a political lesson for Russia's new president; he suffered sharp criticism for remaining on vacation during the first few days of the tragedy as Russian relief efforts floundered, and then his government came under criticism also for not accepting help from the outside as soon as possible.

Steve Harrigan, CNN, St. Petersburg, Russia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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