On this day in 2000, Though rescue attempts were offered by the British and Norwegian teams, Russia declined initial rescue offers. All 118 sailors and officers aboard Kursk submarine perished. The Russian Admiralty at first suggested most of the crew died within minutes of the explosion; however, the motivations for making the claim are considered by outside observers as political since some of the sailors had time to write notes.Oscars Ii Class, Submarines Kursk, Cold Wars, Ships Boats Submarines, Missile Submarines, Sea Power,  Pigboat, Sea Sea, Russian Soviet Submarines