A Russian strategic submarine received light damage to its outer hull when a fishing vessel rammed into it early on Thursday, a Pacific Fleet source said.
“The Donets fishing ship was maneuvering to avoid collision with the Kormchy fishing boat and did not notice the St. George the Victor nuclear-powered submarine anchored near the Avacha Bay,” the source said.
“As a result, the submarine received insignificant damage to its outer hull,” he said, adding that the sub was undergoing repairs at a dock in Vilyuchinsk. The submarine’s nuclear reactor was not damaged.
A preliminary investigation suggests that the crew of the Donets fishing vessel is to blame for the collision, as they were reportedly drunk and ignored radio and warning signals.
K-433 St. George the Victor is a Delta III class nuclear-powered submarine that has been in service with the Russian Navy since 1980.