Haunting Photos Show the Aftermath of the Kursk Submarine Disaster in 2000

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The Russian nuclear submarine Kursk sank on August 12, 2000, during a naval exercise in the Barents Sea, resulting in the loss of all 118 crew members.
Initial explosions, likely from a faulty torpedo weld, caused catastrophic damage, leading to a second, larger explosion two minutes later that breached the hull.
Rescue efforts were delayed by over six hours, hampered by disabled emergency equipment, and international assistance was only accepted after five days.
Twenty-three sailors survived the initial blasts in the ninth compartment but died from asphyxiation after a failed attempt to replace an oxygen cartridge caused a fire.
Recovered notes from crew members confirmed the dire conditions and number of survivors in the final hours.
The salvage operation, conducted by a Dutch company, raised most of the submarine in October 2001, recovering 115 bodies.
Investigations cited negligence, poor maintenance, inadequate training, and delayed rescue efforts as key factors, along with the use of incorrect safety instructions.
The disaster highlighted the decline of Russia's military capabilities, mismanagement, and a culture of cover-ups within the navy and government.

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