Russian navy officer blamed for K-159 disaster

Captain Second Class Sergei Zhemchuzhnov was indicted in connection with the K-159 disaster.

Talking to reporters at a RIA Novosti press conference, Chief Military Prosecutor Alexander Savenkov noted that Zhemchuzhnov, who had served as deputy submarine-group commander, was accused of violating ship-navigation regulations.

The K-159 nuclear-powered submarine went down at about 3.00 a.m. August 30 three miles northwest of Kildin island. Ten sailors were staying aboard the hapless sub; one of them was eventually rescued.

A 25-person investigator squad from the Chief Military Prosecutor's Office got down to business at once; among other things, some investigators sailed toward the disaster site.