Russian researchers involved in the North Pole dive will monitor the environmental situation around the site where the K-278 Komsomolets a Soviet Project 685 nuclear-powered attack submarine sank in April 7, 1989 about 180 kilometres southeast of Bjornoya in 1,500-1,700 meters of water. Alexei Sokov, deputy director of the Russian oceanography institute said the Akademik Fedorov research vessel will transport the Mir 1 abd 2 submersibles to Murmansk for transfer to the Norwegian Sea the site of the sinking of the nuclear-powered submarine, which killed 42 submariners. The submarine sank with two nuclear-tipped torpedoes on board, and despite repeated assurances, Russia has never got around to lifting the vessel.
