A critical Russian submarine base housing some of Vladimir Putin’s most advanced nuclear assets has suffered visible damage after a powerful tsunami slammed into the country’s eastern coastline, raising serious questions about the vulnerability of Moscow’s Pacific fleet. Satellite images taken after Tuesday’s 8.8-magnitude earthquake show a large pier at the Rybachiy submarine base snapped in half and shifted off its moorings, likely by the force of the waves triggered by the quake.
The pier is used to dock both surface vessels and nuclear-powered submarines. One analyst said: “If a submarine was sitting next to the pier at the time, it could have sustained serious damage.” The base lies on the Kamchatka Peninsula, just 75 miles from the epicentre of the quake, placing it directly in the tsunami’s path.
Analysts estimate the wave reached the coastline within 15 minutes of the initial tremor.
One defence expert told The Sun: “Damage at this base is highly significant, because it houses part of Russia’s nuclear deterrent.”
The Rybachiy base is believed to host several Borei II-class submarines, which can launch nuclear-armed ballistic missiles. These vessels form a key part of Russia’s second-strike capability, and any disruption to their operational readiness could have serious strategic consequences.
“The images are good, but not good enough to tell us if a hull was breached or if the vessels moved.”
A satellite imagery specialist said. “Clouds blocked optical satellites, so we’re relying on radar.”
So far, the Kremlin has claimed there were no casualties.
The expert added: “The Kremlin won’t want the world to know if any of those subs were affected.”
With Putin’s Black Sea fleet already battered by Ukrainian attacks, any significant damage to the Pacific fleet would represent another blow to Russia’s global military posture.