BATTLE FOR WORLD / DEBKA | July 2, 2019: The article highlights reports reaching DEBKAfile’s military sources about a US submarine being intercepted by a Russian nuclear submarine in American waters opposite Alaska. Where the Russian submarine escorting the nuclear submarine responded with a Balkan 2000 torpedo and scuttled the US vessel. And as a result urgent consultations in both the White House and the Kremlin were taking place on Tuesday (July 2) night.

The US Vice President Mike Pence was cancelled from making an appearance in New Hampshire after being recalled to Washington DC for a meeting scheduled by President Donald Trump without explanation.

And further adding to the secrecy of the breaking news: On Monday (July 1), a Russian Navy’s deep sea research vessel caught fire during a planned operation in Russian territorial waters aimed at exploring the seabed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin cancelled an engagement previously planned and returned to the Kremlin to consult with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and military chiefs after news about 14 submariners died in a fire that broke out on a nuclear-powered “experimental submarine in Russian waters.”

The first public statement about the fatal incident on board of a Russian deep sea research vehicle, President Vladimir Putin said that it's a “great loss,” adding that 2 heroes of Russia and 7 high-ranking officers were killed.

“It is not an ordinary vessel, it is a research vessel,” said the president while meeting with the Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu in the wake of the tragedy.

President Putin ordered Shoigu to travel to Severomorsk, where the research vessel is currently stationed, to oversee the investigation and report to him upon return.

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