Russia to mark anniversary of sub tragedy

MOSCOW, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Russian citizens Sunday marked the anniversary of the Kursk submarine tragedy with special military and religious services nationwide.

To honor the 118 submariners killed in the 2000 incident, commemoration services took place at several Russian cathedrals and all Russian fleets took time to honor their fallen comrades, Interfax reported.

"In Moscow, Naval Commander Admiral of the Fleet Vladimir Masorin laid flowers at a monument to the Kursk submarine crew. The ceremony was attended by Kursk crew members' relatives who reside in Moscow," a statement from the Russian Navy said.

Meanwhile, the submarine force to which the Kursk was once assigned honored the lost sub by placing wreaths in the sea.

Relatives of those killed in the maritime tragedy also were on hand at the Serafimovskoye Cemetery in the city of St. Petersburg, where they were joined by military and local officials alike.

The nuclear-power submarine and its crew were lost on Aug. 12, 2000, when a torpedo exploded inside the front of the undersea vessel, the Russian press agency said.