Editing Russian submarine Kursk (K-141) (section)

=== Alternative explanation ===
Vice-Admiral Valery Ryazantsev differed with the government's official conclusion. He cited inadequate training, poor maintenance, and incomplete inspections that caused the crew to mishandle the weapon.<ref name=Ryazantsevix>{{cite web| first=Valery |last=Ryazantsev |title=The death of the "Kursk"|url=http://www.avtonomka.org/vospominaniya/vitse-admiral-ryazantsev-valeriy-dmitrievich/45-glava-ix-spasatelnaya-operatsiya.html|access-date=12 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613060146/http://www.avtonomka.org/vospominaniya/vitse-admiral-ryazantsev-valeriy-dmitrievich/45-glava-ix-spasatelnaya-operatsiya.html |archive-date= 13 June 2011 |language=ru}}</ref>  During the examination of the wrecked sub, investigators recovered a partially burned copy of the safety instructions for loading HTP torpedoes, but the instructions were for a significantly different type of torpedo and failed to include essential steps for testing an air valve. The 7th Division, 1st Submarine Flotilla never inspected ''Kursk''{{'}}s crew's qualifications and readiness to fire HTP torpedoes.<ref name="inquests2187"/> ''Kursk''{{'}}s crew had no experience with HTP-powered torpedoes and had not been trained in handling or firing HTP-powered torpedoes. Due to their inexperience and lack of training, compounded by incomplete inspections and oversight, and because the  ''Kursk''{{'}}s crew followed faulty instructions when loading the practice torpedo, Ryazantsev believes they set off a chain of events that led to the explosion.<ref name="barany"/><ref name=ryazantsevvii >{{cite web| first=Valery |last=Ryazantsev |title=The death of the "Kursk"|url=http://avtonomka.org/vospominaniya/vitse-admiral-ryazantsev-valeriy-dmitrievich/43-glava-vii-gibel-kurska-kak-eto-bilo.html|access-date=12 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120181513/http://avtonomka.org/vospominaniya/vitse-admiral-ryazantsev-valeriy-dmitrievich/43-glava-vii-gibel-kurska-kak-eto-bilo.html |archive-date= 20 November 2011 |language=ru}}</ref>