From the 1950's the Russians built up their Navy under Adm Gorshkov to one of the most powerfull fleets in the world.

However the submarine fleet in the early years was a disaster. In order to build their nuclear powered capability corners were cut and there were some very bad design flaws in their boats. This resulted in a number of incidents where when a boat was not totally lost the crew suffered from radiation poisoning either due to reactor leaks or poor reactor sheilding.

Their boats were noisy too, we could aquire them by passive sonar from a great distance, allowing us to track there movements without giving our position away and often we were where we should not have been. This we know caused a lot of worry and anger to the soviet submarine fleets.

The Russians were able to cover the loss of their boats by imposing news blackouts, no help was sought from non Warsaw pact navies. families were instructed not to ask questions but accpet their loved ones had died as patriots.

With the end of Communism the funding to the Russian Navy was cut and so too was training. This meant it was easier to track their boats as the crews were not as well trained in submarine operations i.e. keeping quiet. The loss of the Kursk with 118 people was a public distaster for Putin and a tragedy for the families. It is clear Putin resented asking for help, as an ex KGB whatever he appears to be today he is still a man who would willingly go back to the 'good old days'. The 23 men in the aft end of that boat could have been saved. In fact they could well have escaped from the depth they were at had they had the right equipment and training. It was not too deep for a tower or compartment escape.

Since I left the RN I have been to both Murmansk and the Kola ports and seen that state of the Russian submarines lying alongside. The crews are often unpaid for months and moral was low. They rob spares from one boat to repair another.

Putin knows the state of his Navy and when something like the last incident happens it is more bad publicity for him and his govt.

What we dont know is who authorised the call for help, Putin?, his defence mininster? (another ex KGB hand) or the Admiral i/c for the Far East Ports?

Whatever, the call was made and lives saved, that is the main thing.

Last year the Chinese Navy lost a diesal-electric boat just north of Wei Hai Wei. It was lost with all hands, most likely from CO poisoning due to an internal exhaust leak while running diesals when dived. The enquiry results have never been seen, and probably never will be even though the incident was published (unusually) in the Chinese press.

All submariners from what ever navy have very common bonds, it is an unusual and often hazardous job and one which submariners will not often discuss with non submariners in detail. Their true work is often never seen, but the results in the cold war period was a standoff for peace.

That is why when something like this does happen sides tend to be forgotten and help offered.

I am not being jingoistic when I feel proud that people have been saved by a group of men I once served alongside with. Just pride in a job well done.