What damage was caused to the Rybachiy nuclear submarine base?

The waves caused damage to a pier at the Rybachiy base, with a section possibly torn from its original position.

How important is the Rybachiy base to Russia's military?

The Rybachiy base houses the majority of Russia's strategic nuclear submarines, which are a critical component of the country's undersea nuclear arsenal.

What has Russia been doing to improve its submarine fleet?

Russia has been working to modernize and expand its submarine fleet since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, and in 2023 President Putin vowed to ramp up production of nuclear-powered submarines.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Waves Crash Into Putin's Prized Military Installation

Waves Crash Into Putin's Prized Military Installation

1 Aug

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Summary

8.8 magnitude quake hits Russia's eastern coast
Waves damage pier at Rybachiy nuclear submarine base
Base houses majority of Russia's strategic nuclear subs

Waves Crash Into Putin's Prized Military Installation

On July 30th, 2025, a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake rattled Russia's eastern coast, sending waves crashing into one of President Vladimir Putin's most prized military installations - the Rybachiy nuclear submarine base. Located on the Kamchatka Peninsula, the base is home to the majority of Russia's strategic nuclear submarines.

Satellite imagery captured on July 31st shows that the waves caused damage to the facility, with a section of the pier possibly torn from its original position. While it is unclear if any submarines were docked at the time, the Rybachiy base is a critical component of Russia's undersea nuclear arsenal, capable of launching missiles that can strike deep into the U.S. and Europe.

The incident comes as NATO has grown increasingly alarmed over the Kremlin's aggressive submarine activity and long-range strike capabilities. Russia has been working to modernize and expand its submarine fleet since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In 2023, Putin vowed to ramp up production of nuclear-powered submarines, declaring they would "ensure Russia's security for decades to come."

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