During his first term, Vladimir Putin had to confront a raft of political and economic challenges, including the Chechen wars, conflict in Iraq, and the unchecked power of Russia’s oligarchs. He also faced a major tragedy that he handled disastrously, and which undermined his image as a strong and competent leader: the sinking of the Kursk nuclear submarine.
On August 12 2000, the Kursk sank during exercises in the Barents Sea. The 118 sailors on board sent signals to the command centre, but received no response. They remained in complete darkness, with only enough oxygen to last a few hours. The United Kingdom and Norway offered help on the same day, but Russia did not respond. Rescue efforts did not begin until eight days later, when all of the crew were long dead.
