As The Telegraph has learned, the Russian nuclear submarine base in the village of Rybachy may have been damaged by the powerful earthquake and tsunami in Kamchatka.
Points of attention
- Despite the structural damage not posing immediate consequences, further assessments are needed to determine the full extent of the base's damage and implications for nuclear submarines at high alert.
- The proximity of Rybachy to the United States emphasizes the strategic importance of the base, which is equipped with specialized facilities for submarine operations, maintenance, and servicing.
The earthquake and tsunami created additional problems for Russia
Journalists carefully analyzed images taken by the Umbra Space satellite the day after the earthquake.
They indicate that part of one of the piers has changed its position: there is a high probability that the structure was torn from its place by powerful waves.
There is currently no evidence that a submarine was near the damaged pier at the time of the natural disaster.
According to experts, in general, damage to the structure itself will not have any special consequences for the Russian fleet.
The editorial office of the publication draws attention to the fact that it is also important to find out what other damage the military base in the village of Rybachy may have suffered.
What is important to understand is that the tsunami hit it just 15 minutes after the earthquake.
It is still unclear whether the Russians managed to get the moored submarines out to sea before the waves hit them.
Rybachy is the closest base to the United States for Russian nuclear submarines that are on the highest alert. Therefore, it also has special port facilities for equipping, repairing, and servicing submarines.
