A new documentary is delving into the heartbreaking events of the Kursk submarine disaster, exploring how it not only shook Russia but also had a significant influence on Vladimir Putin’s rise to power.
This incident, which claimed the lives of 118 Russian crew members, took place on August 12, just three months after Putin assumed the presidency.
The explosion of Russia’s prized nuclear-equipped submarine marked the deadliest naval tragedy in post-Soviet Russia, and now, a 25-year retrospective titled KURSK: 10 Days That Shaped Putin, airing on Sky History, aims to shed light on its lasting impact.
Putin’s Response to the Tragedy and Its Effect on His Leadership
At the time of the explosion, the blast was so powerful it was felt as far as Alaska.
However, President Putin’s reaction to the tragedy raised eyebrows.
Despite the global attention focused on the event, Putin continued with his holiday and did not immediately cut it short to address the situation.
This decision led to widespread criticism, and many believe it played a crucial role in shaping his leadership style in the years that followed.
As this new documentary highlights, the disaster is said to have deeply influenced Putin’s approach to power and governance.
The Details of the Tragedy and Its Lasting Impact on Russia
On that fateful Sunday, the Kursk submarine was conducting a military exercise, aiming to approach a target undetected and fire a practice torpedo.
However, the torpedo was fueled with highly dangerous high-test peroxide, which leaked through a faulty seal.
At 11:30 a.m., the torpedo detonated, creating a massive explosion that caused severe damage to the submarine’s nose.
The resulting fire triggered further explosions, which eventually led to the death of the crew members inside.
The supervising crew initially mistook the explosions for part of the test and did not raise the alarm until 12 hours later.
When the British Navy was informed on Monday, Russia waited until Wednesday to request international assistance.
A note found two months after the sinking revealed that 23 crew members had survived the initial blast but ultimately perished due to lack of air in the flooded compartment.
The British Navy’s Role in the Rescue Effort
The British Navy, along with Norwegian commercial divers, made an attempt to rescue the survivors of the disaster.
Garry Ball, now 69, was one of the divers involved in the mission.
He recalls the uncertainty and danger that accompanied the rescue efforts, with no clear understanding of what the divers were facing.
Ball and his team were tasked with navigating hazardous conditions to save lives, knowing that any mistake could result in the loss of their own.
A Heartbreaking Moment During the Rescue Operation
Amid the chaos of the rescue operation, one poignant moment stood out.
A distraught mother, who had lost her son in the submarine, confronted military officials in a fit of rage, demanding answers.
The emotional scene was captured on camera, showing the raw pain and grief of a mother who had lost her child.
In an attempt to control the situation, a military member injected the woman with a tranquilizer dart, a moment that underscored the immense emotional strain experienced by the families of those lost in the disaster.
A Formative Event for Putin’s Leadership
Royal Navy Commodore David Russell, who led the British response to the Kursk disaster, believes that this tragedy was a pivotal moment in Putin’s rule.
He argues that the way Putin handled the situation set him on a path toward autocratic leadership.
The disaster not only shook Russia to its core but also deeply wounded Putin’s pride, leaving a lasting impression on how he would govern in the years to come.
As the documentary KURSK: 10 Days That Shaped Putin airs, it offers a sobering reflection on how one catastrophic event influenced the trajectory of a leader and a nation.
The Kursk disaster remains a defining moment in Russia’s history, shaping both the public perception of Putin and his approach to power.