Interesting reading in today's Times about the forthcoming film Kursk: The Last Mission. Colin Firth plays the part of Commodore David Russell who led the Anglo Norwegian party who carried out the unsuccessful attempt to find and rescue survivors from the boat on the bed of the Barents Sea in August 2000. Firth had extensive talks with Cdre Russell, a former Trident submarine captain now retired, about the rescue. He contrasts how the Russians have released news of this latest accident almost immediately whereas in the earlier event a delay of two and a half days before they admitted they needed help may have led to the fact that men who definitely survived the initial explosion unfortunately were not rescued in time.
One quote from Cdre Russell is relevant to this thread and reinforces what others have said - "...there is a special bond between submariners ..." Take note The Sultan if you are still here (which I somehow doubt)