A letter was found in Kolesnikov's pocket detailing his final hours. The Russian government continues to be scrutinized for their slow reaction to the disaster. All personnel from sections six, seven and eight have moved to section nine. There are 23 people here. We have made the decision because none of us can escape.
Russian officials believe the note was written at least two hours after the sub began to sink.
It's not clear how long they survived. A letter found on one of the four bodies so far recovered from the wreckage of the Kursk says that at least 23 crew members survived the initial explosions aboard the sub, and knew the prospects for survival were grim. The letter may also turn into the most grisly and poignant indictment of President Vladimir Putin, who vacationed through the earliest days of the drama and reportedly rejected the first offers of international help in reaching the vessel. But it was unclear if a quicker response would have saved the survivors trapped inside the compartment. Russian Navy chief Adm. Vladimir Kuroyedov said at a meeting with submariners' widows the note was written an hour or so after the Aug. 12 explosions.