Fourteen crew on board a Russian defence ministry submersible were killed after a fire broke out, the ministry was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.
The deep-sea research vessel was carrying out a military survey in Russian territorial waters, it was quoted as saying.
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The incident took place on Monday and the fire has been extinguished.
The submersible is now at the Russian Northern Fleet’s base in Severomorsk on the Barents Sea.
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An investigation has been launched to establish the cause, Interfax, RIA and TASS quoted the ministry as saying.
In August 2000, the Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kursk sank to the floor of Barents Sea after two explosions in its bow, killing all 118 men aboard.