23 July 2001

The damage can be clearly seen in this underwater picture

Salvage experts release a video showing the wreckage of the Kursk submarine. The pictures taken by remote camera, show the extent of the damage done to the submarine by an explosion.

  Watch the video here

Experts fear unexploded weapons pose a threat

Tests in the waters around the Kursk nuclear submarine show no sign of radiation, clearing the way for Russia's perilous salvage operation.

  The BBC's Caroline Wyatt reports from the Barents Sea.

The Kursk lies under 356 feet (100m) of water

A robot descends into the Arctic waters around the sunken Russian submarine Kursk, as the operation to raise the wreck begins.

  The BBC's Caroline Wyatt reports

The salvage vessel, Mayo

A Norwegian diving support ship is poised to start the risky operation to raise the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk, which sank in the Barents Sea in August. The ship, the Mayo, is carrying Norwegian, Russian and British divers, who will inspect the wreck before starting to clear away the silt from under the vessel.

  The BBC's Jonathan Charles reports.

As the news is broken that all 118 crew on board the Kursk are dead, the BBC's Orla Guerin in Murmansk says there were lives to save a week ago.

The BBC's Brian Hanrahan says President Putin will find Russia harder to govern.

Lt Col John Lien of Norwegian rescue HQ says the submarine is full of water and there are no survivors.

The BBC's Michael Voss reports from Murmansk on Russian people's anger at their government's handling of the situation.

Underwater pictures of the stranded submarine.

The Rescue Attempt

Norwegian divers find a rear escape hatch intact on the sunken 'Kursk' and consider how to open it.

The BBC's James Coomerasamy on the conflicting reports about the state of the submarine hatch

Rescuers say the crippled nuclear vessel is flooded and the escape hatch is damaged, and the Russian navy confirms the crew on board the stranded "Kursk" are unlikely to have survived.

Submarine expert Paddy Ryan analyses the rescue attempt, with the latest under-water pictures from the vessel.

Russian Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo on the collision which caused the submarine to sink: "Either it was a ship or an underwater vessel".

The Norwegian vessel Normand Pioneer carrying British recovery equipment

Commander Alan Hoskins, one of the Royal Navy's submarine escape and rescue experts, talks about the problems involved in the rescue mission.

Joanna Kidd from the International Institute for Strategic Studies reveals more about the exercise the vessel was involved in shortly before the accident.

Russian journalist Vladimir Mikheyev on the feeling of grief which now unites Russia.

The BBC's David Shukman with the British submersible shortly before it flew to Murmansk.

The BBC's George Eykyn looks at the rigorous escape training naval crews undergo.

The BBC's Steve Rosenberg on Russia's apparent decision to finally accept outside help.

The BBC's Jeremy Cooke visited the northern Norwegian fishing town of Kirkenes, where the residents are becoming increasingly concerned about any radiation leak.

Washington chief of Jane's Defence Weekly, Brian Bender on survival chances, radiation fears and President Putin's standing.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov: "There are no nuclear warheads on the submarine".

Thomas Nielson, from Bellona, a Norwegian environmental organisation, talks about the risk of radioactive leaks from the stricken vessel.

Greenpeace's William Peadon on why he believes the accident could cause "a potential environmental timebomb".

Russian Embassy spokesman in London, Vladimir Andreyev on accusations that the Russian response to the disaster was slow.

President Putin explains: "The first thing I wanted to do was fly to the area"

US Defence Secretary, William Cohen: "The defence dept is able to provide whatever assistance it can to Russian authorities"

The BBC's David Shukman on the Russian visit to Nato's headquarters in Brussels.

Pentagon Spokesman, Rear Admiral Craig Quigley reveals how the Russians declined America's early offer of help.

The Centre for Defence Information, Eugene Carroll on why the Russians have refused all offers of help from the west.

Russia's acting ambassador to London, Alexander Kramarenko, on international criticism of his country's handling of the rescue mission.

President Vladimir Putin admits situation is "critical"

Former Russian submariner, Alexander Mitkin, says Russia's desire to protect its military secrets may be behind their reluctance to accept outside help.

Dr Jonathan Eyal, the director of the Royal United Services Institute and Dr Alexander Pikayev, a military analyst from the Carnegie Centre in Moscow discuss whether the loss of Russia's super-power status made the accident almost inevitable.