Fire Damage on SSBN Yekaterinburg Exceeded RUR 1 bln

10.01.2012 Fire damage on nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Yekaterinburg exceeded RUR 1 bln; that was the conclusion of governmental commission investigating the accident, reports ITAR-TASS on Jan 10 referring to a source in defense industry.

According to the interviewee, fire destroyed the submarine's sonar and seriously damaged rubber coating of outer hull. Speaking of the accident causes, the source said it was "gross violations of safety precautions when carrying out hot works onboard the submarine".

According to the interviewee, repair of the sub will take several months [earlier it was mentioned about a one-year period] and be conducted by Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk. SSBN Yekaterinburg will arrive there only late May or early June 2012 because of ice on the White Sea. Till that time, the submarine will stay in the base near Severomorsk.

The fire occurred on SSBN Yekaterinburg on Dec 29 during repair works in Roslyakovo, Murmansk region. According to preliminary information, wooden scaffold ignited around the sub, and then the fire moved to the hull where sonar is located. As a result, nine persons suffered. Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case on the basis of clause 347, RF Criminal Code (destruction or damage of military property by negligence).