Burning Russian nuclear sub will be sunk

The nuclear submarine that caught fire in drydock in Arkhangelsk earlier today is to be sunk. According to Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), which oversees the boat's repairs, efforts to put out the fire using fire extinguishers have proved futile.

The plan, the USC told RIA Novosti, is to put out the fire by flooding the drydock with the boat still in it.

• The fire broke out on a nuclear submarine that was undergoing repairs in Arkhangelsk at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday. No one was reportedly injured in the blaze.
• Sources claimed the incident took place on the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Orel (“Eagle”) project 949A Antei (“Antaeus”).
• The submarine’s rubber insulation is allegedly what caught fire. While at sea, the Antaeus is equipped with P-700 Granit antiship cruise missiles. When docked for repairs, however, all ordnance is removed from naval vessels.