Russia inspects sunken nuclear sub in Arctic for radiation risks

Russian divers are scheduled to study the current condition of the K-27 submarine over the next few weeks, starting from the end of September 2024. They face a significant challenge as the nuclear machine was sunk in a part of the Arctic Ocean known as the Kara Sea. Additionally, the potential radiation threat is also a significant factor.

As the Bulgarian Military portal explains, the K-27 was a unique submarine in the Russian Navy's arsenal due to its role. The submarine served as a test platform for new nuclear technology. The K-27 was powered by two VT-1 reactors cooled by lead-bismuth liquid metal. According to reports, the machine was also renowned for its safety features. The reactors of this submarine were designed to have very low failure rates.

Although the K-27 was generally modern and innovative, it initially struggled with radiation leak issues. Crew members reported such failures, but warnings were usually ignored—until it was too late.

In 1969, the K-27 submarine suffered a severe malfunction of its VT-1 reactor when its power dropped from 87% to 7%. At the same time, radiation levels in the engine chamber increased. At the time, the soldiers working on the machine noted that the radiation detector was off the scale.

The malfunction led to the K-27's withdrawal from active service in 1968, with its complete decommissioning occurring in 1979. Three years later, in 1982, the Russians towed the K-27 to a nuclear test site in the Kara Sea and deliberately sank it to a depth of 108 ft. The machine was filled with asphalt beforehand to seal the fuel-filled reactors, and a hole was drilled in the aft ballast tank to prevent surfacing.

However, the Russians' actions on the K-27 are not permanent. According to experts, the submarine's sealing is expected to last until 2032. After this time, there is a risk of radiation leakage. Additionally, the highly enriched uranium in the K-27 reactors could trigger a chain reaction, posing a severe threat to the Arctic.

Moscow is trying to examine the submarine's reactors in more detail, but this requires very careful handling of the machine. Raising the K-27 to the surface is also a colossal challenge due to the high costs and need for specialized equipment, which the Russians lack. Before the conflict in Ukraine, the Russians had the opportunity to receive support from Europe to raise the K-27. Still, the geopolitical situation has left Moscow to deal with the nuclear submarine independently.