Typhoon Submarine Documentary: Unraveling the Mystery of Russia's deadliest submarine disaster

The Russian Navy has a long and storied history of building formidable submarines, but none are as infamous as the Kursk, which met its untimely demise in 2000. The story of what happened on board that fateful day is one of tragedy, human error, and catastrophic consequences.

On August 15, 2000, the Kursk was involved in a major fleet exercise, along with the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and battlecruiser Pyotr Velikity. The Oscar II-class submarine, completed in 1994 and assigned to the Russian Northern Fleet, was fully armed with Granit missiles and torpedoes. Its mission was to conduct a simulated attack on Kuznetsov.

But something went terribly wrong. A hydrogen peroxide leak started a fire that ultimately detonated the Type 65-76A's 900-pound high-explosive warhead. The exact sequence of events is still debated among experts, but it is believed that leakage of 50 percent peroxide onto supporting pallets under polythene sheeting led to spontaneous ignition and a fierce fire.

According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), hydrogen peroxide is not itself flammable, but can cause spontaneous combustion of flammable materials. In one instance recorded by the NLM, leakage from drums of 35 percent hydrogen peroxide onto a wooden pallet caused ignition of the latter when it was moved.

The danger with hydrogen peroxide is that it can become explosive if it comes into contact with organic compounds or a fire. This chemical compound was used as underwater fuel in many torpedoes, including those on board the Kursk.

The consequences of this catastrophe were devastating. The Kursk's conning tower is visible as the submarine is towed back to Roslyakovo, Russia, a haunting reminder of the tragedy that befell its crew. All 118 sailors on board lost their lives in one of the deadliest submarine disasters in history.

In conclusion, the story of the Kursk serves as a stark reminder of the risks and dangers involved in operating powerful machinery, particularly at sea. It is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of those who serve in the military and a reminder of the importance of proper safety protocols and procedures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.

Typhoon Submarine Documentary: Unraveling the Mystery of Russia's deadliest submarine disaster

Typhoon submarine documentary