Zeenext Bureau Moscow, Aug 25: Russian President Vladimir Putin has refuted the charge of western countries that his country did not request assistance in time for rescuing sailors trapped aboard the nuclear submarine Kursk, reports said, quoting excerpts from his televised address to the nation. ”It took Norwegian divers full six days to reach the wrecked ship's hatch,'' he said on Thursday night. The statement comes after Putin had assumed responsibility on Wednesday night for the deaths of 118 sailors, ruling out ‘indiscriminate reprisals’ against military leaders for the sinking of the nuclear submarine Kursk and a sluggish weeklong rescue effort. Putin had also apologised to the relatives. Meanwhile, famous Russian submariner Admiral Vladimir Chernavin while talking to Russian government daily Rossisskaya Gazeta said not to come to hasty conclusions. He presented three possibilities. The catastrophe may have been caused by a collision with a surface vessel or another submarine in the Barents Sea. It could have been the result of major seal failure. Third, the ill-fated sub might have made a quick dive to evade danger and hit the seafloor.