Fire Kills One in Russian Naval Tragedy
Investigations to Begin as Russia Endures another Naval Catastrophe
Dec 9, 2008
Russian regional emergency officials said that the fire on-board the frigate was extinguished at 14:00 Moscow local time and that five fire fighting teams which included a special fire fighting vessel had been dispatched to bring the fire under control.
Early reports indicated that no personnel had been injured in the fire and that there was only minor damage to the vessel, but further investigation of the ship revealed the body of an officer that had perished in the blaze.
The Krivak II class frigate commissioned under Soviet rule in 1978 was nearing the end of its service life after spending 30 years in front line service with the Russian Fleet. Captain 1st Rank Igor Dygalo aide to the Russian Navy Commander said to the media following the incident “The frigate was soon to be decommissioned and that no weapons, stores or ammunition were on-board the vessel throughout the incident”.
Whilst the origins of the fire on Monday morning were still to be established, Russia’s special investigations commission will begin work immediately to resolve the underlying events that lead to the outbreak of fire on-board a military vessel and the subsequent loss of life.
This latest incident comes only a month after a fire suppression unit on-board a Russian Akula II class submarine suffocated 20 people whilst on sea trials before a leasing agreement was to take affect with India. Criticism of the Russian Navy is set to once again be the topic of heated discussion over the latest string of incidents and the current inability to maintain and operate a safe and dependable blue water Navy.
Whilst the latest events may not make good media for Russia’s impending military deals with India, Russian President Dmity Medvedev was overly confident that the close ties established with India would remain intact. When speaking with reporters for the Russian Navy website on the eve of his trip to India, President Medvedev said “There is no negative impact on our relations, according to the information we have at present, these events were the result of the so-called human factor”.
Despite calm being displayed on the political surface, Russia is moving rapidly in order to sustain the relationship with India as the completion of the cooperation agreement nears. A successful signing of the agreement will see uranium dioxide exports supplied to India over a seven year period in addition to the continued supply of arms imports to which Russia is the key provider.
