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Soviet Shchuka-type submarine missing since WWII found near Crimean coast

Specialists say the sunken submarine still holds personal belongings of its crew of 47, and human remains as well

KIEV, July 5 (Itar-Tass) - A Soviet Shchuka-type submarine that went missing in February-March 1944, has been found near Cape Tarkhankut on the western coast of the Crimean Peninsula, head of the Crimean government Anatoly Mogilev said on Friday.

“According to preliminary reports from divers of the Black Sea underwater research centre, the submarine had minor damages when it sank. Specialists do not rule out that it could be lifted from the sea bottom to be mothballed and turned into a unique museum of military history,” the local government said in a release.

The submarine Shch-216 was spotted at a depth of 52 meters. According to state archives, it is one of the 16 Shchuka-type submarines that went missing during WWII.

Specialists say the sunken submarine still holds personal belongings of its crew of 47, and human remains as well.

In this connection, Mogilev pledged to find relatives of the submarine’s crew members and bury their remains with due honors. “It is an obligation of the authorities and society. We are approaching a jubilee date - the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. The president of Ukraine has ordered to enliven search activities, to identify our fallen heroes to pay last tribute to them,” he noted.