Officer Committed Suicide in Submarine

13.02.2012 Dead body of torpedo officer Snr. Lt. Maxim Galkin was found on board Northern Fleet (NF) nuclear-powered attack submarine K-335 Gepard at 2.11 am on Feb 11, 2011. He was found hung in his cabin, a spokesman for NF Investigative Committee told Central Navy Portal.

A pre-investigation inquiry was initiated upon the death of the 24-year old Snr. Lt. Maxim Galkin. The inquiry is held on grounds of a crime provided for in Clause 110, RF Criminal Code (forcible suicide).

Neither suicide note nor bodily damage was found during primary inspection. Native of Nizhny Novgorod, Maxim Galkin was married and had a 1-year old child. Motives and circumstances of the suicide are being investigated. So far, there have been no comments on the suicide reasons, i.e. personal or related to service activity. A decision will be made upon termination of the inquiry and in accordance with criminal procedure legislation.

The Project 971 third-generation nuclear-powered submarine K-335 Gepard is one of the most up-to-date vessels in Russian Navy. SSN Gepard is a constant alert naval asset; she is itemized in Northern Fleet 24-th Submarine Division based in Gadzhievo.