RUSSIA: TAKE 1 OF 2--Kursk May Have Been Attacked by 'Two Foreign Submarines,' Says Moscow Paper

This document is an FBIS translation of an article published in the Russian newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets on August 18, 2000. The article discusses various theories surrounding the disaster of the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk. The authors, Yuriy Kochergin, Aleksandr Morozov, and Viktor Sokirko, acknowledge that while there are many theories regarding the sinking—ranging from collisions with World War II mines to poor crew training—some have even suggested the involvement of a UFO. The newspaper presents a specific theory that the Kursk was attacked by two foreign submarines using a powerful MS-48 torpedo. The article details a scenario where foreign submarines were observing Russian Northern Fleet exercises. It claims that these submarines, identified as Los Angeles-class US vessels, initially kept their distance but later moved closer to the Russian squadron. The text suggests that the Kursk may have been ordered to drive away these 'uninvited guests' and that US tracking ships recorded a large explosion shortly after intercepting a request from the Kursk to fire two torpedoes. The article concludes by questioning whether Captain First Rank Gennady Lyachin had detected the enemy boats and emphasizes that these claims are speculative and lack documentary confirmation.