BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Going to also shift our focus now to another story, that submarine drama being played out now above the Arctic Circle in the stormy Barents Sea. Russia's Navy is making a desperate attempt to evacuate as many as 116 sailors on board that nuclear sub that sank this past weekend. CNN's Mike Hanna is in Moscow. He filed this report on the very latest with the information from there.</s>MIKE HANNA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A fleet of rescue ships are in station above the stricken submarine, which is 108 meters, over 300 feet below the surface. The greatest threat to the rescue operation remains the weather. A strong northwestern gale has diminished slightly, allowing the rescue attempt to begin. A submersible sphere will be lowered down to the submarine, which is reportedly lying at an angel. This mean the sphere will have to be slid sideways over the hull to reach the escape hatch. The pressure between sphere and submarine will then be equalized, allowing the evacuation to begin.</s>HANNA: The chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov, says the operation will take between six to eight hours to complete. That is if the favorable weather conditions continue -- Bill.</s>HEMMER: All right, Mike Hanna with the very latest from Moscow. Stay in touch with us, Mike. Thank you.
Russian Submarine Accident: Rescue Attempt Threatened by Weather