DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: In Russia, President Vladimir Putin declares today a day of mourning and many services are held throughout the country honoring the 118-member crew of the submarine Kursk. Meanwhile, President Putin is still coming under harsh criticism for the way he handled this tragedy. Our Steve Harrigan has the latest.</s>STEVE HARRIGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the Arctic dawn, the Russians mourn their dead, heads bowed, faces pinched with grief or moist with tears.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All Russia, all Russian people, all Russian mothers, sisters and other people cry.</s>HARRIGAN: Russian President Vladimir Putin, dressed in black, met overnight with 400 relatives of the dead sailors. They asked the president, when would the 118 bodies of their husbands and sons be recovered? Mr. Putin said he did not have the answer. (on camera): The president has defended his decision to stay away from the scene of the accident as logical to avoid distracting attention from the rescue efforts. (voice-over): That decision has been attacked by many, who say Russians expect more than logic from their leader.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): The president is like the papa. He's the most important one and we're all his children. But instead of having an answer for us, there was nothing by silence, and he stayed on his vacation.</s>HARRIGAN: The wives of the dead sailors refused to take part in a memorial service on the Barents Sea, saying they were afraid such an event would put an end to the affair and delay efforts at recovering their husbands' bodies. Steve Harrigan, CNN, Moscow.
Russian Submarine Accident: Putin Still Under Fire Over Handling of Tragedy