This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33881479

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Kursk sinking: Russia marks 15th anniversary Kursk sinking: Russia marks 15th anniversary
(about 1 hour later)
Russia has been marking 15 years since the Kursk nuclear submarine sank in the Barents Sea, with the deaths of all 118 men on board.Russia has been marking 15 years since the Kursk nuclear submarine sank in the Barents Sea, with the deaths of all 118 men on board.
Memorial services have been taking place, with flags lowered in ports and cities with links to the incident. Memorial services have been taking place, with flags lowered in ports and cities with links to the tragedy.
The tragedy was a major challenge for Vladimir Putin, then newly elected as president, who faced criticism for not calling in international help. The sinking was a major challenge for Vladimir Putin, then the newly elected as president, who faced criticism for not calling in international help.
But a recent poll suggests increasing support for his actions at the time. But a recent poll suggests increasing support for how he responded.
For two days after a torpedo exploded, ripping through the Kursk nuclear submarine, Russia kept quiet about the disaster. It was 11:28 local time when the first powerful blast ripped through the Kursk on 12 August 2000. A torpedo had exploded during an exercise.
On board - 118 men. But President Putin stayed on holiday. The blast at sea was detected by international monitors. But, for two days, Russia kept silent about the disaster and President Putin stayed on holiday.
He returned to insist that Russia could manage the sensitive rescue operation alone. He returned to insist that Russia could manage the highly sensitive rescue operation alone: the Kursk had been the pride of the Russian fleet.
But in the end it was Norwegian divers who opened the submarine hatch and by then, the entire crew had perished. But it proved complicated. In the end, it was Norwegian divers who managed to open the submarine hatch and by then the entire crew had perished.
A note found on one of the men revealed that 23 crew members had survived the initial explosions, but died waiting for help.A note found on one of the men revealed that 23 crew members had survived the initial explosions, but died waiting for help.
At the time, media reports were highly critical of how the crisis was handled: every detail of the increasingly desperate operation was carried live, and images of grieving relatives screaming at Mr Putin were broadcast to the nation. At the time, media reports were highly critical of how the crisis was handled. Russians were glued to their TV screens, following every twist of the increasingly desperate rescue operation.
For some, this was a turning point. Today, television news is almost entirely under state control and reporting on the anniversary has been limited. The coverage included footage of grieving women, screaming at a very uncomfortable-looking President Putin.
Meanwhile, a new poll has revealed how the national mood has changed. For some, that marked a turning point.
At the time of the disaster, 72% thought that Russia could have done more to save the crew of the Kursk; 15 years on, just 38% are critical. Today, television news is almost entirely under state control and reporting on the anniversary has been limited.
As for refusing international help until it was too late, the number supporting that decision has almost doubled. Most news reports about the disaster on Wednesday were short and low down the bulletins, and all hint of blame and criticism had vanished.
The reports primarily marked the men's passing and the fact that they received the Order of Courage posthumously.
"Fifteen years have passed, but the pain does not fade. Nothing can replace my son," Nadezhda Shalapinina told military newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda.
Her son, Alexei Nekrasov, was 19 and the youngest crew member on board.
Nadezhda still keeps his bedroom as it was the day he left it.
The newspaper makes no reference to who she blames, although Alexei survived the initial explosions and flood.
He was one of 23 crew discovered in the 9th section of the Kursk where they had huddled, waiting to be rescued.
The official version says the men died that same day, poisoned by fumes. Other reports have suggested they survived for two days or more.
Meanwhile a new poll by the Levada Centre, a Russian research organisation, has revealed how the national mood has changed.
An increased number of Russians believe that Mr Putin handled the crisis correctly.
At the time of the sinking, 72% of people asked thought that Russia could have done more to save the crew of the Kursk.
Fifteen years on, just 38% are critical.
As for refusing international help - until it was too late - the number supporting that decision has almost doubled.
A full, official report into the tragedy has been classified, until 2030.