Putin expresses 'guilt' over Kursk tragedy

Russian flags fly at half-staff as the country mourns the Kursk tragedy

In this story: Some relatives boycott services Recovery of bodies in doubt Environmental fears RELATED STORIES, SITES

MOSCOW -- Beleaguered President Vladimir Putin has said he feels responsible and guilty following the deaths of all 118 sailors aboard the sunken nuclear submarine Kursk.

Putin, speaking on Russia's RTR television on Wednesday, also revealed that three senior officials -- Defence Minister Igor Sergeyev, Navy chief Vladimir Kuroyedov and the commander of the Northern Fleet, Vyacheslav Popov -- had offered to resign over the disaster, but he had refused to accept their resignations.

"I have a great feeling of responsibility and guilt for this tragedy," the president said, adding that those to blame for the sinking would be punished, but that there would be no rush to judgment.

IN-DEPTH Death of the Kursk: Background on Kursk disaster and rescue efforts     INTERACTIVE See the damage to the Kursk (Flash Player needed) Timeline of Kursk events    VIDEO CNN's Steve Harrigan reports on how Russians are coping with their loss Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Walter Rodgers looks at Putin's meeting with relatives of the Kursk crew Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Go to a memorial service for the submariners (August 23) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Russians are looking to blame someone for the sinking, according to CNN's Mike Hanna (August 22) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     ALSO   Kursk fiasco trains spotlight on Russia's soul World critical of Russia's slow reaction to submarine disaster Kursk fiasco trains spotlight on Russia's soul The Russian diary of submarine events Press accuse officials of masking truth     MESSAGE BOARD Submarine recovery

The president's address came during a day of official mourning for the crew of the Kursk, which sank during routine naval exercises in the Barents Sea on August 12.

National flags are flying at half-staff and television entertainment shows have been cancelled across the country.

But church services to mourn the deaths of the sailors were boycotted by some relatives who are angry with the government’s handling of the rescue operation and demanding the return of their loved ones bodies from the wreck.

In another show of anger, a planned official memorial on Wednesday was cancelled in accordance with a request from the victim's families.

Putin was speaking in Moscow after returning from an emotional six-hour meeting at the northern Russian naval base of Vidyayevo, near Murmansk, with the families.

"When will we get them back, dead or alive? Answer as the president," shouted a woman in the 600-strong crowd, referring to the bodies of the sailors.

"I will answer as I know it myself," said Putin. The Interfax news agency quoted him as adding: "The grief is immeasurable, no words can console. My heart is aching but yours much more so."

The government has promised to look after the relatives. Deputy Prime Minister Valentina Matviyenko has said the families would get average compensation worth $7,000, amounting to more than 10 years' pay.

Matviyenko, heading a special government commission, said military insurance would pay out a total of $830,000. The sum includes 120 average monthly wages for each man plus a one-time payment equal to 25 monthly wages.

Observers say any attempt to retrieve the bodies would be complicated, expensive and potentially dangerous and doubt remains as to whether any such mission would be carried out before winter sets in, if at all.

Russia has said recovery of the bodies is a priority, but its navy lacks the deep-sea diving equipment to carry out such an operation.

President Putin shakes hands with a relative of a Kusk crew member

The Norwegian firm whose divers opened the Kursk's hatch on Monday, only to find the submarine flooded, has agreed to examine the feasibility of a salvage operation and mission to bring up the bodies.

But conservative estimates say any operation to recover the bodies is unlikely before mid-2001 after the bitter Arctic winter ends.

Julian Thomson, spokesman for Stolt Offshore, told Reuters: "In practical terms, I'd say that a lifting would be in summer next year at the earliest, if we can find a safe way of doing it."

"On the face of it, totally prejudging the feasibility study, it looks like lifting (the Kursk) would be the easiest way to go," he said.

"Trying to recover the bodies (from the seabed) would be particularly hazardous, because of the nuclear reactor, munitions and numerous risks of snagging for divers."

YOU SAID IT From: Submarine rescue Post your comments on the rescue mission

Meanwhile, environmentalists fear radioactive contamination from the Kursk, which is fitted with two nuclear reactors, and have called for it to be raised, saying the blasts that wrecked the sub could have damaged its reactors.

Norway said on Wednesday it had found no trace of radiation leaks from the wreck of the Kursk, despite earlier Russian television reports of rising levels of radiation.

"None of our analyses show any sign of leaks," Per Strand, a director of the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, told NRK public radio.

But William Peden, Greenpeace’s environmental group's International Disarmament Campaigner, said: "If the Kursk is left on the seabed it is not a matter of if, but when the reactors will leak nuclear material into the Barents Sea. The Kursk is a ticking environmental time bomb that must be made safe."

The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.

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