New problems were encountered in the Barents Sea yesterday, ITAR-TASS news agency reports. Vladimir Navrotsky, chief of the Northern Fleet's PR department, says divers encountered some metallic obstructions in compartments seven and eight. Divers are now trying to handle them.

Igor Dygalo of the Russian Navy's Press Service has confirmed that Russia is not confident that the first compartment will be cut off the rest of the submarine. The final conclusion may be drawn only when the Kursk is lifted from the seabed, Dygalo said.

The lifting phase of the operation will begin on September 29.