Putin's delayed response to Kursk submarine disaster sparks outrage

In August 2000, Russia experienced one of its most tragic maritime disasters when the Oscar-class submarine Kursk sank to the bottom of the Barents Sea during a military exercise. The incident resulted in the loss of 118 crew members, highlighting the perils associated with submarine operations. Despite two significant explosions that could be detected by seismic monitoring stations, the Kremlin remained silent about the tragedy initially. Vladimir Putin was on vacation at the time and did not return to address the incident until over a week later, drawing criticism for his perceived negligence and lack of urgency. Assistance was offered by Western nations as the Russian Navy struggled with the rescue efforts, yet tragically, it was discovered that the entire crew perished, including 23 sailors found barricaded in a flooded compartment awaiting rescue. Subsequently, Russian officials sought to allocate blame for the failed rescue attempts, yet accountability for the mishap was scarce, further compounding the tragedy's negative perception on Putin's early presidency. The Kursk incident stands as a haunting reminder of the possible consequences that can arise from inadequate responses to catastrophic events.