Moscow: A decommissioned K-159 nuclear submarine of the Russian Navy sank in the Barents Sea on August 30, killing at least two of the 10-member crew.

The K-159 submarine sank at 07.30 (IST), at a depth of 170 meters near the Kildin Island in Barents Sea while on way to ship-breaking plant in Polyarny town on the Arctic coast, Russian Navy spokesman Cmdr Igor Dygalo said.

So far one officer has been rescued and two dead bodies have been recovered from the sea but the fate of seven other naval officers is still unknown, he said.

In the heavy storm four pontoons supporting the decommissioned submarine got detached making it sink. The submarine was decommissioned in 1989 and had no weapons on board, its reactor too has been shut down, Dygalo added.

PTI