KALININGRAD. Sept 29 (Interfax-Northwest) - The decommissioned Russian submarine K-159, which sank in the Barents Sea while being towed in late August, will definitely be retrieved, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Kuroyedov has said.
"The sunken submarine will definitely be raised. We will not leave a nuclear object on the seafloor, despite the fact that its current condition does not pose any kind of threat and our special services did not find any evidence of radioactive pollution," Kuroyedov said speaking in Kaliningrad on Sunday, following a ceremony of the Russian frigate Nadezhda's departure for a round-the-world trip.
"It is somewhat early to talk about the dates, methods, and participants for the raising operation," Kuroyedov said. "All these issues are being actively examined. The possibility and necessity of involving foreign companies is being considered as well," he said.
"We have selected four out of the 13 proposed projects for raising the vessel which were devised by both military and civilian specialists. In the near future, the most suitable project will be determined and its organization will be started," the admiral said.
The K-159 sank three miles northwest of the Kildin Island on August 30 and is currently located at a depth of 170 meters. There were 10 people onboard the sub. One of them was rescued, two bodies were retrieved, and the remaining seven are still considered missing.
The sub's nuclear reactor had been brought to safe condition and its ammunition had been unloaded prior to the sinking.