A tsunami triggered by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday reportedly damaged Russia’s Rybachiy nuclear submarine base on the Kamchatka Peninsula, according to satellite images obtained by The Telegraph and engineer Logan Garbarini.
Imagery captured by Umbra Space and analyzed by engineer Logan Garbarini revealed a major pier at the base had shifted from its original position. The damage was compared to earlier Google and Maxar images to confirm the pier’s displacement. Rybachiy, located in Avacha Bay, houses Borei and Borei-A class ballistic missile submarines.
Got the images back from Rybachiy Submarine Base (52.9112°, 158.49244°). Acquired 2025-07-30 10:18Z. Some notable changes: looks like a pier snapped in half from the wave.
First image is Google/Maxar from earlier this year, second image is Umbra SAR post-event. https://t.co/cfCwCMPV9b pic.twitter.com/ARrXJ79e5u
— Logan Garbarini (@LoganGarbarini) July 31, 2025
The earthquake’s epicenter was about 75 miles from the base. Russian officials reported no casualties or major infrastructure loss, but video footage from coastal areas showed widespread flooding and damage, including collapsed buildings and inundated ports. Waves up to five meters hit regions such as Severo-Kurilsk, farther from the epicenter than Rybachiy.
❗️Underground TREMORS shook the coast of Avacha Bay after a STRONG 8.7M QUAKE
Tsunami threat in Kamchatka continues
Residents being EVACUATED https://t.co/PHmWoI73KO pic.twitter.com/pQ8xPpSCi2
— RT (@RT_com) July 30, 2025
Drone footage shows tsunami flood damage to coastal areas as well as the port in the town of Severo-Kurilsk on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s Far East. pic.twitter.com/VG74V0Pn8S
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 30, 2025
Tsunami waves are hitting the Russian coast of Kamchatka, seen here flooding the port of Severo-Kurilsk. pic.twitter.com/5HjHCI5eoz
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) July 30, 2025
The Telegraph reported that two submarines may have been docked at the facility before the wave struck, though satellite imagery has not shown conclusive signs of damage.
Dr. Sidharth Kaushal of the Royal United Services Institute told The Telegraph there was no visible damage in the aftermath. However, retired Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe noted that the pier was left at “a terrible angle,” which could complicate future docking and maintenance operations. “If the base assumption is that a wave got in there and bent that jetty then yes, what else did it do?” Sharpe said.
A tugboat was seen near the affected section, suggesting recovery work is underway.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the base’s “earthquake-resistant” structures and alert system enabled a successful evacuation of personnel, resulting in no casualties.
