Two crewmen of SSN Nerpa are "thrown to the wolves" – VADM Boris Prikhodko

12.05.2011 Conviction of Lavrentiev and Grobov for the accident happened to SSN Nerpa would mean the collapse of national defense industry, said Vice Admiral (retired) Boris Prikhodko, the head of Vladivostok Maritime Assembly.

Finding of Nerpa's commander Capt 1 rank Lavrentiev the only guilty of the tragedy would lead to burst-up of Russia's rearmament program, said Prikhodko at the press conference estimating results of the military investigation, reports PrimaMedia.

"That's a nature of Russian Armed Forces – if commander dies in accident, he is posthumously awarded; if he manages to survive, he is put on trial", resented Prikhodko. "Such accidents are scandalous. An array of questions emerges at once – to Pacific Fleet command, to designers, to assemblers, to suppliers, to control organizations. But finally, they throw two submariners "to the wolves" just to blow off steam", concluded the ex-admiral.

Recall that the submarine's commanding officer Capt 1 rank (Guards) Dmitry Lavrentiev and bilge engineer Petty Officer 2 class Dmitry Grobov are named as defendants in the notorious case of SSN Nerpa. Investigation has reached a conclusion that the accident with 20 dead and 38 injured was caused by action (inaction) of the two mentioned servicemen.

"Meanwhile, so far the procuracy has not found manufacturers of freon which was inside the sub's firefighting system", continued Prikhodko. "Investigators do not consider versions other than "human factor" of the engineer and the commander's mistake at all. Take note, the sub had not been delivered to Pacific Fleet when the breakdown happened. Responsibility for all events rests with trial crew, namely – with the chief engineer of Amur Shipyard. The fact that freon was stolen is doubtless, but military procuracy pays no regard for that".

According to the ex-admiral, "real causes of recent mishaps in military hardware trials such as 7 faulty launches of Bulava ballistic missiles, 4 lost GLONASS satellites, accidents with nuclear submarines are nothing but corruption, collapse of military industry, and elementary stealing. And if now guiltless people are punished again, that would mean the breakdown of our defense capacity. We should strive against true criminals".

Recall that unauthorized actuation of onboard firefighting system occurred in SSN Nerpa during trials in the Sea of Japan on Nov 8, 2008. The accident claimed lives of 20 submariners.

Russia's maritime community stood up for the submariners, saying that military procuracy simply looks for "whipping boys". On application of defense counsels, the case will be trialled by jury. Preliminary hearing with jurymen is set on May 20.