Tsunami hits Putin nuclear sub base

A CRITICAL Russian submarine base housing some of Vladimir Putin's most advanced nuclear assets has been damaged by a powerful tsunami.

- By Ciaran McGrath

It raises serious questions about the vulnerability of Moscow's Pacific fleet.

Satellite images taken after Tuesday's earthquake show a large pier at the Rybachiy submarine base snapped in half and shifted off its moorings.

This was probably caused by the force of the waves triggered by the 8.8-magnitude quake.

The pier is used to dock Russian surface vessels and nuclear-powered submarines.