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| Russia claims world-record dive | Russia claims world-record dive |
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| Russian scientists say they have broken the world record for the deepest dive in a body of fresh water, plumbing the depths of Lake Baikal in Siberia. | Russian scientists say they have broken the world record for the deepest dive in a body of fresh water, plumbing the depths of Lake Baikal in Siberia. |
| Russian news reports said two manned mini-submarines successfully plunged 1,680m (5,512ft) to the lake's bed. | Russian news reports said two manned mini-submarines successfully plunged 1,680m (5,512ft) to the lake's bed. |
| The mission is part of a two-year plan aimed at conserving the ecosystem of Lake Baikal, which contains about one-fifth of the world's fresh water. | The mission is part of a two-year plan aimed at conserving the ecosystem of Lake Baikal, which contains about one-fifth of the world's fresh water. |
| The area was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1996. | The area was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1996. |
| Russia's Interfax and Itar-Tass news agencies cited expedition organisers as saying that the Mir I and Mir II mini-submarines had touched the bottom of the lake. | Russia's Interfax and Itar-Tass news agencies cited expedition organisers as saying that the Mir I and Mir II mini-submarines had touched the bottom of the lake. |
| "This is a world record for a submarine diving in fresh water," Interfax quoted an organiser as saying. | "This is a world record for a submarine diving in fresh water," Interfax quoted an organiser as saying. |
| However, the Russian team say they are still awaiting official confirmation of the depth of the dive. | However, the Russian team say they are still awaiting official confirmation of the depth of the dive. |
| The Mir capsules are already in the record books for their undersea expeditions - descending to depths greater than 4,000m. | The Mir capsules are already in the record books for their undersea expeditions - descending to depths greater than 4,000m. |
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| One of the submarines is lowered into the water, ready for the mission | One of the submarines is lowered into the water, ready for the mission |
| 'Confident Russia' | 'Confident Russia' |
| Before the expedition set off, leader Artur Chilingarov described it as a complex one. | Before the expedition set off, leader Artur Chilingarov described it as a complex one. |
| "There are technological problems, fickle weather conditions. Fresh water dictates its own special conditions," he said. | "There are technological problems, fickle weather conditions. Fresh water dictates its own special conditions," he said. |
| The two 18-tonne mini-submarines were designed to operate in seawater - but have shed hundreds of kilos to make them buoyant enough in less dense fresh water. | The two 18-tonne mini-submarines were designed to operate in seawater - but have shed hundreds of kilos to make them buoyant enough in less dense fresh water. |
| Mr Chilingarov also led a team of scientists to the North Pole in August last year - where they controversially staked Russia's claim by planting a flag on the seabed. | Mr Chilingarov also led a team of scientists to the North Pole in August last year - where they controversially staked Russia's claim by planting a flag on the seabed. |
| The BBC's James Rogers, at Lake Baikal, says the latest expedition is another sign of the Kremlin's desire to show the world the kind of feat a newly confident Russia is capable of. | The BBC's James Rogers, at Lake Baikal, says the latest expedition is another sign of the Kremlin's desire to show the world the kind of feat a newly confident Russia is capable of. |
| Environmentalists had expressed concern that Russia intended to exploit the lake's mineral wealth, but expedition leaders insisted the mission was for research and conservation purposes only. | Environmentalists had expressed concern that Russia intended to exploit the lake's mineral wealth, but expedition leaders insisted the mission was for research and conservation purposes only. |
| Mr Chilingarov said his team would put together "a package of practical measures and recommendations" to promote conservation of the lake. | Mr Chilingarov said his team would put together "a package of practical measures and recommendations" to promote conservation of the lake. |
| Lake Baikal, formed 25 million years ago, is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. | Lake Baikal, formed 25 million years ago, is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. |
| One of the most unusual animals unique to the lake is the Baikal seal - one of the few seals to spend its life in fresh water. | One of the most unusual animals unique to the lake is the Baikal seal - one of the few seals to spend its life in fresh water. |