DISINFO: Kursk submarine disaster was caused by collision with NATO vessel
SUMMARY
The 2000 Kursk disaster was caused as a result of a collision with a NATO submarine. The vessel was following Kursk but was unable to observe the necessary safety measures, which resulted in the crash.
RESPONSE
The claim is false and directly contradicts Russia's official stance on the causes of the Kursk tragedy.
A two-year investigation led by Russian General Prosecutor Vladimir Ustinov found that Kursk sank following an explosion of a torpedo "resulting from emergency processes which took place inside the torpedo's oxidiser tank." A second explosion followed two minutes later, leading to the "complete destruction of the bow of the Kursk" as well as mechanical failure in multiple compartments.
The 12 August 2000 disaster led to the death of 118 sailors, who were found a week later by Norwegian and UK divers. It took the Russian authorities another three days to officially acknowledge that the sinking had taken place.