Russia “sunk” an experimental nuclear submarine (it emits radiation)

What you need to know: The Soviet submarine K-27, part of the November class, was an experimental vessel powered by lead-bismuth cooled reactors that proved extremely problematic. In May 1968, one of its reactors malfunctioned, leaking radiation and leaving nine crew members dead and others suffering severe radiation poisoning.

-The submarine was eventually sunk in the Arctic waters of Novaya Zemlya, where it now poses a threat to the environment as its deteriorating hull could leak radiation into the surrounding waters.

-Efforts to recover the submarine are complicated by technical challenges and geopolitical tensions, particularly between Russia and the West due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Submarine K-27: A Soviet nuclear disaster waiting to happen beneath the Arctic

Russia has always been a continental power that has struggled to compete with its western neighbors. Through sheer willpower and determination, the Russians have managed to remain imperfectly competitive with the West.

In the submarine space, the Russians have always been a real challenger to the maritime dominance long held by Western powers such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

But in the great race for prestige and dominance there are many accidents.

The technical specifications of the November class submarine K-27

The tragedy of the Soviet Navy submarine K-27 is one of the few Russian disasters that still resonates today. K-27 was one of the November class submarines (Project 627 Kit). First laid down on June 15, 1958, the K-27 was the first red submarine to employ lead-bismuth-cooled reactors. These systems were smaller but more powerful than the pressurized water reactors that powered most nuclear submarines at the time.

But they were highly problematic sources of energy.

This underwater monster was ahead of its time. The Soviet Navy was, of course, in serious competition with the Americans. Part of this competition took place in the technological area. K-27 was highly sophisticated and radical in design.

As Dave Majumdar described the K-27 submarine in 2017, it was “a scientific project first and an operational attack boat second.”

That being said, one should always be cautious when Russian submariners talk about a new nuclear system that will revolutionize submarine performance. It will likely end with flooded compartments, dead sailors and a radiation cloud.

The incident

On May 24, 1968, the K-27 cruised the Barents Sea and tested these new reactors. The catastrophe occurred. One of the reactors decided to take a nap and dropped to a measly 7% of its output (not great, not terrible). Oxide particles accumulated in the reactor's coolant, causing overheating and melting of some of the fuel.

Fission products entered the reactor room and eventually spread throughout the submarine.

When the crew realized this was not an exercise, they quickly made their way back to port using the other reactor, but the consequences were dire. Nine crew members died as a result of radiation exposure and 83 others were injured, including 40 with acute radiation sickness. The submarine was considered unsalvageable and was ultimately sunk in Novaya Zemlya in 1981.

Complicating factors

Whenever we are dealing with a Russian nuclear disaster, it never ends. K-27 risks becoming an “underwater Chernobyl.”

Since the Soviets improperly disposed of the submarine by simply sinking it and leaving it on the ocean floor, most environmental scientists fear that the rusty old boat will pour devastating radiation into the pristine ecological habitat of the Arctic Circle (where the boat currently resides stewing under the waves). Since 2012, several proposals have been put forward to get crews to the K-27's resting place and bring the ailing submarine safely back to the surface.

There are two problems with such a project.

First: feasibility. There is deep disagreement among experts about whether they can bring the boat to the surface without damaging its hull and breaching the nuclear reactor's containment, which is still hot beneath the waves.

The other complication is ongoing discontent between the West and Russia over Ukraine. Under these conditions, Moscow is not inclined to work with Western elements to power up the old submarine before its containment is breached and radiation reaches the Arctic beyond.

Where do we go from here?

The K-27 fiasco is a constant reminder of the dangers of unencumbered geopolitical competition, such as existed in the Cold War and lies before us again today. Furthermore, the urge to stay one step ahead of one's enemies has led to this ticking time bomb, in which a relic of a past war now threatens the safety of millions of people and animals in the Arctic.

As we enter a new era of geopolitical tensions and competition – with Russia, of course – we should remember the risks associated with such behavior.

Author's experience and expertise: Brandon J. Weichert

Brandon J. Weichert, a National Interest national security analyst, is a former congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who writes for The Washington Times, The Asia Times and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China's Race to Control Life and The Shadow War: Iran's Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, will be published October 22 by Encounter Books. Weichert can be followed on Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

All images are Creative Commons. The main image shows a modern Russian submarine. All others are November-class submarines.

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