Tragedy in the Barents Sea: Kursk Submarine and the Survival of the Crew

Tragedy in the Barents Sea: Kursk Submarine and the Survival of the Crew

On June 18, 2025, the tragedy of the Russian submarine K-141 “Kursk” will once again be brought to public attention. An exercise by the Russian Northern Fleet in the Barents Sea recalls the events of August 12, 2000, when the submarine sank during its final mission. On that fateful day, an explosion occurred that claimed the lives of the majority of the 118 crew members. The submarine sank to the seabed while the survivors desperately fought for survival.

The explosion was later attributed to a faulty torpedo fueled by hydrogen peroxide. This first detonation caused the Kursk to sink to a depth of 108 meters. A second explosion followed 135 seconds later, leaving the few survivors in a hopeless situation. While the Russian navy launched a rescue operation, the government initially refused to accept international help. This led to an ordeal for the crew members as they struggled to understand the events and save their loved ones.

Technical details and history of the “Kursk”

The K-141 Kursk was an Oscar II-class submarine built in Severodvinsk, Russia in 1990. After launching in 1994, it was commissioned on December 30 of the same year. With a displacement of 13,400 to 16,400 tons and a length of 154 meters, the Kursk was one of the most impressive submarines in the Russian Navy. She had two nuclear reactors and was capable of reaching speeds of up to 32 knots underwater.

During her service, the “Kursk” took part in only one mission, taking part in the “Summer-X” exercise on August 10, 2000, which took place shortly before the disaster. After sinking, the submarine was salvaged by a consortium in 2001, with the bow separated. Official reports attributed the disaster to a torpedo explosion, but other experts pointed to inadequate training and maintenance problems.

Emotional impact and political controversy

The events surrounding the submarine K-141 “Kursk” left deep marks in Russia and around the world. President Putin faced criticism as he waited five days to end his vacation and address the tragedy. Since the tragedy, the victims' relatives have been fighting against political resistance to achieve a comprehensive explanation of what happened and to obtain more transparency about the events.

The story of the K-141 “Kursk” is also kept alive through the film adaptation, with prominent actors such as Matthias Schoenaerts and Léa Seydoux playing a role in remembering this tragedy. The musical direction was by Alexandre Desplat, while the direction was by Thomas Vinterberg. Despite the dramatic content, coming to terms with this tragedy remains an emotional and difficult topic for many.

Currently, the story of the Kursk continues to be addressed in various formats, be it through documentaries or films, to raise awareness of the risks associated with military activities and to underline the importance of international cooperation in the event of disasters.

Further information can also be found in the reports from ARD media library and Wikipedia.