Pentagon says no U.S. ship involved in Russian sub accident

U.S. offers help with rescue operation

From Chris Plante
CNN National Security Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Though U.S. vessels were monitoring a Russian naval exercise in which a submarine was disabled, the Pentagon said Monday there is no evidence that they were involved in the accident.

Russian officials say the nuclear submarine Kursk, with a crew of more than 100, sustained serious damage after it apparently was involved in a major collision in the Barents Sea.

A U.S. surveillance ship was conducting electronic and acoustic monitoring of Russian naval exercises from about 200 miles away, and at least one U.S. submarine was also operating in the general vicinity, according to informed U.S. officials.

MESSAGE BOARD Submarine rescue     ALSO Russian submarine rescue bid under way Limited options for rescuers Norway calls crisis talks on Russian submarine A history of accidents

But Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. Craig Quigley said there was "no indication" that an American vessel was involved.

"We have absolutely no information that supports" the claim that the Russian submarine collided with another ship, a Pentagon official said. Officials cautioned, however, that they cannot account for craft belonging to European nations that may have been in the area.

CNN has learned that U.S. National Security Adviser Sandy Berger on Monday phoned the Russian government to offer assistance with their rescue efforts.

U.S. officials call the Russian exercise in or near the Barents Sea a "major fleet exercise for the Russian navy" involving several dozen Russian ships "involving all elements of the Russian navy."

U.S. submarines normally monitor the movement of Russian submarines.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Putin to shake-up Russian military
August 11, 2000
Scientists: Moscow financial crisis jars nuclear security
January 31, 1997
Major nuclear powers sign test ban treaty
September 24, 1996
Nuclear safety summit convenes in Moscow
April 20, 1996

U.S. Department of Defense
World Navies Today: Russian Submarines
Russian Government Internet Network
Russian Ministry of Defense (in Russian)
Submarine related links
Gray's military sea page
Submarine information

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.