#AceHistoryNews – Aug.12: The nuclear submarine Kursk sank in the Barents Sea during a maritime exercise on this day in 2000. All 118 crew members died after international efforts to save them frustratingly failed. The Russian Oscar II class submarine K-141 Kursk was the pride of Russia's fleet, having symbolized the power and strength of the Russian Navy. Having been set afloat in 1994, the 154-meter-long nuclear sub had been in service for less than six years when it sank.
On August 12, Kursk was conducting naval exercise in the Barents Sea waters off Russia's coast in the north. The submarine was carrying 24 cruise missiles and 24 naval torpedoes.
The Kursk accident is widely regarded as one of the biggest national tragedies during Vladimir Putin's time as Russian president. It occurred early in Putin's first term, and the sunken vessel and failed rescue efforts caused anger and frustration not only among the perished sailors' families and loved ones, but nationally and worldwide.
One hundred and fifteen bodies were removed from the wreck and buried in Russia, but three navy officers aboard Kursk were never found. A decree signed by President Putin posthumously awarded all the crew the Order of Courage, and the title of Hero of the Russian Federation was bestowed on the submarine's captain.
With most of the wreckage recycled, only the deck cabin of the Kursk submarine remained whole. Its was preserved as a monument, having been erected in Russia's northern port of Murmansk. Monuments commemorating the tragedy are also now in other cities, including in Moscow.