--- title: "Questions Swirl Around Status Of Russian Nuclear Submarine Base After Historic Earthquake" description: "The epicenter of a huge quake that sent tsunami waves out across the Pacific is just 75 miles from a cluster of strategic Russian naval facilities." date: "2025-07-30" modified: "2025-07-30" authors: - name: "Joseph Trevithick" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick.md" url: "https://www.twz.com/sea/questions-swirl-around-status-of-russian-nuclear-submarine-base-after-historic-earthquake" categories: - "Around The Globe" - "Boomers (SSBNs)" - "Borei Class" - "Europe" - "Navies" - "News & Features" - "Nuclear Guided Missile Submarines (SSGNs)" - "Oscar Class" - "Russia" - "Russian Navy" - "Sea" - "Submarines" - "Yasen Class" --- # Questions Swirl Around Status Of Russian Nuclear Submarine Base After Historic Earthquake ![The epicenter of a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred early this morning off the coast of Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami waves across the Pacific, was only around 75 miles away from a cluster of key Russian naval bases.]() *A stock picture of the Russian Navy's Borei class nuclear ballistic missile submarine Alexander Nevsky at the Rybachiy submarine base in Kamchatka. Russian Ministry of Defense* A huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake occurred early this morning off the coast of Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami waves across the Pacific. The earthquake was only around 75 miles away from a cluster of key Russian naval bases, including ones that host [nuclear ballistic missile submarines](), raising questions about what damage they may have sustained. The earthquake off Kamchatka is tied for the sixth strongest in history, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey [as reported by the *BBC*](). It was also the strongest anywhere on Earth in years. At the time of writing, Russian authorities [have downplayed any impacts]() from the earthquake and ensuing tsunami waves, saying that there have been no reported fatalities or serious injuries. They have also declared the tsunami threat to be over, but have warned about the risks still posed by aftershocks. https://twitter.com/vcdgf555/status/1950375751750209993 https://twitter.com/MatthewCappucci/status/1950375880682799192 Pictures and videos are now circulating online showing damage to buildings and other infrastructure at various locations in Kamchatka, including at ports and harbors. The Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano on the peninsula [has now also erupted](). https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/1950461655776653692 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1950359548985803265 https://twitter.com/vcdgf555/status/1950395854348833030 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1950384598816542975 https://twitter.com/SanderRegter/status/1950439575177839038 https://twitter.com/TIgerNS3/status/1950430420530844072 https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1950561669517590811 As noted, a major question now is the state of Russian naval facilities in Avacha Bay, situated some 75 miles (65 nautical miles) to the northwest of the earthquake's approximate epicenter. This includes the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky naval base and the Rybachiy submarine base, as well as separate missile loading and shipyard facilities. ![]() *A satellite image taken in 2023 of the Rybachiy submarine base. *Google Earth** ![]() *Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky naval base as seen in a satellite image taken in 2024. *Google Earth** ![]() *A satellite image offering a broad view of the entirety of Avacha Bay. *Google Earth** https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1950376329180041235 Rybachiy is of particular note, as it is the homeport for the vast majority of *[Borei]()* and [*Borei-A* class nuclear ballistic missile submarines](), or SSBNs, in Russian Navy service today. Russia has been moving in recent years to replace all of its remaining [Soviet-era *Delta* class SSBNs]() with *Borei* types. The *Delta III* class submarine *Ryazan*, also known by its hull number K-44, appears to still be present at Rybachiy based on available satellite imagery, but whether it is actually operational or not is unclear. ![]() *The *Borei-A* class nuclear ballistic missile submarine *Emperor Alexander III*, the latest of its kind to join the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet. *Russian Ministry of Defense** The naval bases in Avacha Bay are also home to nuclear-powered, but conventionally-armed *[Yasen-M]()* and [*Oscar* class]() guided missile submarines, or SSGNs, as well as various nuclear and conventionally-powered attack submarines. The members of the *Yasen-M* class are among the most advanced submarines in Russian service today, which U.S. officials regularly cite as [representing particularly significant threats](). ![]() *One of the Russian Navy's Yasen-M class guided missile submarines. *Russian Navy** ![]() *The *Oscar II* class guided missile submarine *Tver* seen sitting pierside at its base in Kamchatka. *Russian Ministry of Defense** There [are also reports]() that the Russian Navy eventually plans to move [the shadowy K-329 *Belgorod*](), the world’s longest submarine, to that base. A highly modified *Oscar II* class submarine, *Belgorod* was designed to carry nuclear-powered, nuclear-tipped, long-range [Poseidon torpedoes](), a weapon also referred to as Status-6, and is also understood to be capable of carrying out underwater espionage missions. What submarines were actually present in Avacha Bay this morning when the earthquake occurred is unclear. Overcast skies in the region in recent weeks have limited the availability of publicly available satellite imagery that could offer clues as to what vessels were in port at time. https://twitter.com/Tatarigami_UA/status/1950513563631772031 Rybachiy and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky naval base also host various surface naval vessels, though the bulk of the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet's major surface warships are homeported [in Vladivostok](), some 1,400 miles away to the southwest. The naval shipyard in Vilyuchinsk in Avacha Bay is also a key facility for sustaining Russian Navy submarine operations in the Pacific. https://twitter.com/Tatarigami_UA/status/1950416029475332385 It should be stressed that there are no clear indications at this time that any of the Russian naval facilities in Avacha Bay, or vessels moored at their piers, have suffered any damage as a result of this morning's earthquake and ensuing tsunami waves. The bay's basic geography could have helped shield assets within. "I have no information that critical damage to the Russian Navy's naval bases in Kamchatka. I think everything is within the normal range," a retired Russian Navy officer who maintains close contacts with active service members, and goes by [@Capt\_Navy]() on X, told *TWZ*. "These bases were designed and built with the possibility of a nuclear attack by the enemy in mind." At the same time, even relatively minor waves and rising waters could have potentially significant impacts. Damage might result just from submarines and other vessels smacking especially hard into their moorings, a type of incident technically referred to as an allision, rather than a collision. A substantial amount of water flowing into any open hatches or access points could cause issues, as well. Any submarines or other ships undergoing major maintenance would have been especially vulnerable. If nothing else, today's events have highlighted the potential risks associated with clustering key military facilities and assets, like prized strategic ballistic missile submarines, in a single, relatively confined area. https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1950395835948442094 With Russian authorities saying the biggest dangers have now passed, more clarity about the state of the Russian naval facilities in Avacha Bay may now begin to emerge. *Contact the author: joe@twz.com* ## Author Joseph is *TWZ’s* Deputy Editor, helping to oversee the site’s highly experienced and dedicated team, while also writing informative and impactful defense and national security content. He lives right in the thick of it in the Washington, D.C. area. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Bluesky]() ## More - [Russian Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines Are Now Cocooned In Nets]() - [U.S. And Russian Nuclear Submarines Visit Cuba At The Same Time]() - [Watch Russian Submariners Train To Escape A Burning Submarine Through A Torpedo Tube]() - [Claims Swirl Around The Fate Of Russia’s Last Huge Typhoon Class Submarine]() - [China’s NYC-Sized ‘Earthquake Warning System’ Array Sounds More Like A Way To Talk To Submarines]() - [Russia’s New Nuclear Torpedo-Carrying Submarine Has Been Launched]() - [Russia’s Historic Submarine Rescue Ship Looks Undamaged After Claimed Strike]() - [Submarine Decoy Appears On Russian Naval Base Pier]()