Catalogue of confusion and coverups in Kursk sinking

MOSCOW - Throughout the Kursk disaster Russian officials have given a number of incorrect descriptions of events.

Some clearly could have been caused by the changing situation and lack of information, others appear aimed at understating the seriousness of the accident and exaggerating the capabilities of Russian rescue technology.

Some of the Russian media have accused authorities of lying about the disaster.

Critics say the wrong reports at the very least caused unnecessary pain for the families of the victims, and at worst led to delays that may have prevented a successful rescue. Following is a list of the falsehoods that drew the most attention.

MONDAY, AUGUST 14

The Navy initially reported the disaster, saying it had taken place on Sunday. In fact, it took place on Saturday, as was revealed later by Norway.

The Navy said the Kursk was crippled by "technical faults" and the crew allowed it to glide to the sea bed. In fact, it was destroyed by explosions on board, quickly flooded and sank. Most of the crew were killed within minutes.

Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo said rescuers were in radio contact with the crew. In fact, there was no radio contact from the moment of the accident.

The Navy said the crew had immediately signalled it had shut down the nuclear reactor that supplies power to the craft. Officials later said the reactors' automatic system switched them off.

Officials denied the bow of the submarine was flooded, saying there was no damage to the hull.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15

A Navy spokesman said the crew had signalled there had been no deaths on board. Reports that there may have been some deaths were publicly denied.

Officials said Russian rescue equipment and crews were not inferior to those being offered by the West. In fact, Russia has no teams of deep-sea divers capable of mounting an underwater rescue, and Russian rescue mini-subs are not as advanced as those offered by the United States and Britain.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16

A Navy deputy chief of staff said the crew on board were continuing to signal by tapping on the hull. Later, officials said the last sound from the vessel came on Monday.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18

President Vladimir Putin says accepting foreign help earlier would have made no difference because foul weather would have interfered with an international rescue. Western military experts said weather would have had little impact on a rescue operation underwater using their technology.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

Russian officials acknowledge damage to the vessel was massive, most of the crew died within minutes and the rest are almost certainly dead.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20

Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov says Norwegian divers had discovered the hatch to the submarine was too damaged to be opened. Norway says the divers made no such conclusion. They eventually opened the hatch with few problems.

- REUTERS

Herald Online feature: Russian sub in distress

Russian Centre for Arms Control: OSKAR subs

World Navies Today: Russian subs

Russian Navy official website