The drunken sailors who accidentally rammed a nuclear submarine in a fishing trawler off the coast of Kamchatka last week tried to flee the scene, Navy officials said Monday, RIA-Novosti reported.
The Donets glanced the stern of the Svyatoi Georgy Pobedonosets, or "St. George," which was moored and above water, after the submarine's crew tried unsuccessfully to contact the trawler via radio and alert its crew with red flares.
After the collision, which lightly damaged both ships, the Donets' crew allegedly turned off the ship's navigation lights and increased its speed in an attempt to flee the scene. The getaway ended after the Navy's local command ordered all ships in the area to halt and drop anchor.
The submariners were prepared to open fire during the crash but opted not to, the report said, without elaborating.
Investigators who boarded the trawler the same morning discovered traces of the submarine's plating and determined that the fishermen — and their captain in particular — were drunk. The ship's papers, however, were in order.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.