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First Post
12 hours ago
- Climate
- First Post
Russia earthquake is among world's strongest ever. But why was the damage minimal?
Several buildings were destroyed and many people were left injured after a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka region on Wednesday, triggering tsunami warnings across Japan and the US West Coast and Hawaii. Despite the intensity of the quake and resulting tsunami, damage near the epicentre was reportedly limited read more Tsunami waves flood an area after a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, in Severo-Kurilsk, Sakhalin Region, Russia. Reuters A powerful earthquake measuring 8.8 struck off the coast of Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka region on Wednesday, triggering tsunami warnings across Japan and the US state of Hawaii. The tremor destroyed buildings and left many people injured. Authorities in large parts of Japan and parts of Hawaii issued evacuation orders. ALSO READ | Why Russia earthquake set off tsunami alerts across US More than 50 aftershocks took place after the main quake. Seismologists have warned that further tremors, possibly reaching a magnitude of 7.5, could still occur in the coming days or weeks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Visuals posted on social media showed sections of an airport's ceiling collapsing during the quake. In this explainer, we look at the impact of the earthquake in the Kamchatka region. Let's take a look: Russian earthquake: The damage caused in Kamchatka region The powerful earthquake, one of the strongest ever recorded globally, struck at 8:24 am local time off the coast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Despite the strength of the quake and tsunami, the reported damage in the region was limited. A local port was flooded, and parts of the ceiling at a regional airport terminal fell, according to The New York Times. Authorities confirmed that evacuations had gone ahead successfully. Yaroslav, 25, a resident of Kamchatka, told Reuters, 'It felt like the walls could collapse any moment. The shaking lasted continuously for at least three minutes.' Tsunami waves partially flooded the port and a fish processing plant in the region, dislodging vessels from their moorings, according to regional officials and Russia's emergency ministry. Verified drone footage showed the shoreline submerged, with taller buildings and storage units surrounded by water, Reuters reported. Later, the Klyuchevskoy volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula began erupting, according to a geological monitoring agency. The volcano, located around 450 kilometres north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, is among the highest in the world. More than 50 aftershocks followed the main quake, and seismologists have warned that tremors reaching magnitude 7.5 could still happen in the coming days or weeks, The Moscow Times reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Mayor Yevgeny Belyaev said public services were on alert and inspections for damage were ongoing. So far, most of the impact appeared cosmetic, though elevator outages were reported in some new apartment buildings. A kindergarten damaged by an earthquake, in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka Krai, Russia. Reuters Local media said several national park zones had been closed to tourists due to the risk of landslides and falling rocks. At Yelizovo Airport in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, all flights were delayed until Thursday. Videos posted online showed parts of the interior ceiling falling during the quake, while passengers were seen rushing to safety. Some travellers reported struggling to reach emergency exits, The Moscow Times reported. In neighbouring Sakhalin, authorities began recovery work in Severo-Kurilsk on Paramushir Island, part of the Kuril Islands, which was badly hit by the tsunami flooding. The full scale of the damage remains uncertain, and the local governor said a detailed assessment would take about a week. ALSO READ | What caused 8.8 earthquake in Russia's Kamchatka? Why was the damage not as destructive as previous tsunami? In deep ocean waters, tsunami waves can move at speeds over 500 miles per hour (800 kilometres per hour), roughly the pace of a passenger aircraft. Out at sea, these waves have long gaps between them and are usually no more than a metre high, making them hard to detect. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, as they approach shallow coastal areas, the waves slow down, often to just 20 to 30 miles per hour. At this stage, their height can rise sharply. Authorities said Wednesday's earthquake triggered waves as high as four metres (13 feet) in some parts of eastern Russia. The US Geological Survey initially reported that the earthquake struck at a relatively shallow depth of about 20.7 kilometres (12.9 miles) beneath the surface. Shallow quakes like this often cause more movement of the seafloor, which can generate larger tsunami waves. Still, it is difficult to know the full impact so soon after the quake. Despite the strength of this earthquake and tsunami, the damage was less severe than in some past disasters. Factors such as the wave direction, local geography, and immediate evacuations may have helped reduce the impact this time, BBC reported. 'God help me': Residents recount massive Kamchatka earthquake A state of emergency was declared in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky after the powerful earthquake struck the region. Residents of the city, located 149 kilometres from the epicentre, described scenes of chaos: buildings swayed, furniture toppled, cars appeared to 'dance' in the streets, and even cranes at the harbour were seen shaking. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Kamchatka native with family in the area told The Moscow Times, 'Everything's fine, but everyone is absolutely freaked out. It was the strongest earthquake in decades.' He said his relatives had decided to leave the city for their dacha, adding that many others seemed to be doing the same. Several Kamchatka residents turned to social media to describe what they had experienced. One user wrote, 'I have been living in Kamchatka for 42 years, but it was the first time I felt such an earthquake. I screamed so much: 'God help me,' although I am generally calm during earthquakes. Everything at home was smashed.' The report also pointed to a rise in resort prices, as some businesses appeared to take advantage of people seeking safety. According to the local edition of Argumenti i Fakti, emergency services in the city saw a spike in calls after the quake. Many residents reported symptoms like high blood pressure, arrhythmia and seizures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Climate
- Shafaq News
No fatalities reported after 8.8 quake off Russia's Far East
Shafaq News – Petropavlovsk / Kamchatsky Russian authorities confirmed on Wednesday that no fatalities occurred following the powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the Kamchatka Peninsula, although several people sustained minor injuries. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov attributed the absence of fatalities to the effectiveness of Russia's early warning systems and the resilience of local infrastructure. He noted that emergency protocols functioned smoothly, allowing residents in coastal areas to evacuate before the arrival of tsunami waves. Regional officials reported minor structural damage in some locations. In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the regional capital, a kindergarten undergoing renovation was affected. Several individuals were injured while fleeing buildings, and one hospital patient was hurt after jumping from a window. All injuries were described as non-life-threatening, according to the regional health department. In the Kuril Islands, waves flooded the fishing port of Severo-Kurilsk and temporarily cut power supplies. Authorities declared a state of emergency, though no major damage was reported. Footage showed waves crashing against breakwaters and residents seeking shelter in evacuation centers. Footage published to social media shows the moments when the earthquake hit in the Kamchatka region. — The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) July 30, 2025 The earthquake struck at 8:25 a.m. Japan time, with its epicenter located about 120 kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 21 kilometers. It triggered tsunami alerts across the Pacific, including in Japan, Hawaii, California, and multiple island nations. The US Geological Survey measured the event at 8.8 magnitude, making it one of the six strongest earthquakes ever recorded. It is the most powerful globally since the 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan, which killed over 18,000 people and caused the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. According to the Russian Oceanography Institute, tsunami waves along the Kamchatka coast reached heights between two and fifteen meters. Waves of 2 to 5 feet were also recorded in Northern California and parts of Japan, prompting evacuations and temporary disruption of transportation services. Most tsunami alerts have since been downgraded to advisories as conditions began to stabilize. Despite the earthquake's intensity, no critical infrastructure damage was reported in Japan or the United States. Japanese nuclear regulators confirmed that all plants were operating safely, including the Fukushima complex, where workers temporarily relocated to higher ground while continuing remote monitoring. Tsunami warnings were also issued in the Philippines, Mexico, New Zealand, and several Pacific Island nations. While residents were urged to avoid coastal areas, no significant damage has been reported outside Russia.
Memri
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Memri
The Moscow Times: The Kremlin's Political Influence In Iran, And In The Middle East As A Whole, Is Reaching Zero
On July 14, 2025, The Moscow Times published an article stating that the Kremlin's political influence in Iran, and in the Middle East as a whole, is reaching zero. The article concluded that Russia has no leverage over the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran and that there is no chance that mediation attempts will be perceived in Tehran and other capitals of the world as potentially effective. Vladimir Putin held talks in the Kremlin with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, who arrived in Russia on an official visit, on January 17, 2025. (Source: Following are excerpts of The Moscow Times's article:[1] "Iranians Don't Trust Russia" "Reading the news, one might have the impression that Russia plays some important role in rectifying the problems of Iran's relations with the outside world. "Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his intention to maintain contacts with Putin for the sake of resolving the Iranian situation. U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the Iranian issue with Putin. Iranian President Pezeshkian also came to Moscow, however no specific results of his visits were reported. "All these messages and contacts, nonetheless, prompt an unbiased observer to suspect the participants of such actions of wishful thinking. Russia's real capabilities in Iran leave much to be desired. "The Kremlin's political influence in Iran, and in the Middle East as a whole, is reaching zero, and Tehran is no longer shy about discussing this openly... "Iranian leaders believe that Moscow betrayed Iran's interests in Syria when it refused to support President Assad's regime. They blame Russia for breaking its promises to supply modern fighter jets and air defense systems to Iran and never tire of reminding how Russia supported anti-Iranian sanctions at the UN. Iranians associate plans to restore their military potential after 12-days-long Israeli airstrikes not with Russia, but with China. "Furthermore, public opinion in Iran has long been motivated by mistrust of the attempts of the 'northern neighbor' [Russia], which they still cannot forgive for the seizure of Iranian lands under the 19th century Gulistan and Turkmenchay treaties,[2] to create Soviet republics on Iranian territory back in the 1920s and after World War II... Iranians don't trust Russia, and the war criminals from the Kremlin cannot claim the role of mediator in any political settlement." "Russia Has No Leverages Over The Regime Of The Islamic Republic Of Iran" "Hypothetically speaking, Russia's involvement in the Iranian economy could be perceived as a factor of influence, however even in this area we are too dealing not with the dynamic development of trade ties and the implementation of real projects, but with a selection of good wishes that politicians and pro-government media reiterate from year to year. "According to official data, trade turnover between the two countries is gradually growing and reached $4.8 billion a year in 2024. But this is half as much as Russia's trade with the United Arab Emirates and more than 10 times less than that with Turkey. In its turn, Iran's [trade] turnover with Turkey is two and a half times higher than that with Russia. "When the head of the Iran-Russia Joint Chamber of Commerce, Hadi Tizhoush Taban, said last year that Russia had become the largest foreign investor in Iran, it was not an evidence of large investments on part of Russian companies in his country, but an evidence of the miniscule volumes of investments from other states due to international sanctions. Back then, Taban referred to the fact that the Russian side invested $2.7 billion SD in two oil projects, which constituted 45 percent of all foreign investments. In fact, these were Lukoil's[3] expenditures on long-standing projects that were abandoned by the Russian company when Iran became targeted by sanctions. "The many-times reiterated statements that Russia purportedly plans to invest $8 billion in gas projects in Iran are not supported by facts. The 'strategic memorandum' on future supplies of Russian gas to Iran signed last year by Gazprom[4] and the National Iranian Gas Company does not provide for any actual participants' obligations, and no work is being done in this direction either in Moscow or Tehran, not to mention Baku, which must 'greenlight' the transit of gas supplies. "The conclusion is unambiguous: Russia has no leverages over the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and there is no chance that mediation attempts will be perceived in Tehran and other capitals of the world as potentially effective. "Let's leave speculation about Russia's great role in the Near and Middle East to Putin's propagandists."
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Why US man Daniel Martindale was granted Russian citizenship in the middle of Ukraine war
An American citizen who assisted the Kremlin in targeting Ukrainian troops amid the conflict with Kyiv has received a Russian passport in Moscow. The man was identified as Daniel Richard Martindale. He was assisting Russian forces during the special military operation in Ukraine. Later, he was spirited out of eastern Ukraine by Russian special forces. Russian state television broadcast a report on Tuesday showing Martindale, with a trim beard and dressed in a suit and tie, smiling as he received his new documents, as reported by news agency Reuters. Authorities in the Moscow-controlled Donetsk claimed that he had played a 'key role' in helping Russian forces seize the village of Bohoiavlenka near the occupied city of Vuhledar in October 2023, according to The Moscow Times. The pro-Kremlin head of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, said President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree granting him citizenship. 'I, Daniel Richard Martindale, voluntarily and consciously accepting the citizenship of the Russian Federation, swear to observe the constitution,' Martindale said. Martindale, who originally hails from, told reporters in 2024 that he had done 'everything to save the lives of Russian soldiers' and requested Russian citizenship during a press conference in Moscow, The Moscow Times reported. Live Events Pushilin claimed Martindale provided intelligence that helped Russian forces capture the Ukrainian city of Kurakhove. He also stated that Martindale had to be rescued due to threats to his safety. 'When it became clear that Daniel's continued presence in that area was life-threatening, our special services conducted a highly complex rescue,' he wrote on Telegram, according to The Moscow Times. 'Dream come true': Martindale Martindale said that he dreamed of obtaining Russian citizenship as far back as ten years ago and is now very happy that his dream has come true. 'This dream entered my heart ten years ago, long before the current conflict—a conviction that Russia is not only my home but also my family.' He said that in Russia, he wants to start a family and raise children as a true citizen. He also noted that his parents dream of living in Russia as well. According to Russian state media, Martindale's family supports his decision to remain in the region and plans to visit him. What drew Martindale towards Russia Martindale grew up on farms in upstate New York and Indiana, the child of missionaries who later moved to rural China, according to a Wall Street Journal report. A brief trip over the border into Russia's Far East during the family's time in China sparked Martindale's interest in Russia. In 2018, Martindale, now in his early 30s, moved to Vladivostok, a Russian port city on the Pacific, where he studied Russian and taught English before being deported a year later for violating labor laws, the Journal said. He moved to southern Poland but was keen to return to Russia, the journal said. In 2022, Martindale entered Ukraine just days before President Vladimir Putin ordered thousands of troops into Ukraine.
Euronews
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Smell like Putin: Russia releases scented candle to promote patriotism
Scented candles are a popular trend among those looking to create a cosy atmosphere in their homes. Smells vary according to taste: some are sweet but sharp, others fruity and floral. There's something for everyone, and while variety is important, sometimes it goes too far. Marketed for those who love Vladimir Putin so much that they want a constant reminder of his musk in their homes, a series of candles now allows that fantasy to come true. They are "Made in Russia", and the aroma of authoritarianism costs a total of 546 rubles per candle (around €6), with a manufacturer's guarantee. "The handmade indoor scented candle is made from natural wax. The room is filled with aroma in just 30 to 40 minutes," says the product description, quoted by the Russian newspaper The Moscow Times - which says that 25,000 candles have been sold. The manufacturer also claims that the candle's wooden wick imitates the sound of a crackling fireplace. The candle comes in two versions: "Aroma Putin Black Vanilla" and "Aroma Putin Dark Amber" and is available on Russian marketplaces such as Wildberries. There aren't many reviews, but some have five-star endorsements. In addition to the Putin scent, the same manufacturer offers candles with the names "Russia: Symbols of the Russian Empire", "Let's Support Our Own!" and "Aroma of Patriotism" with the image of Russian soldiers in the background. These candles have become a talking point in the press, with Portuguese journalist, writer and commentator specialising in Russian affairs, José Milhazes, calling the phenomenon further proof of Russia's cult of personality in his "Daqui Moscovo" segment on SIC television (Sociedade Independente de Comunicação). Presidential precedents It's not exactly a pioneering move either. While we establish no correlation between the two, US President Donald Trump recently announced a new addition to his personal line of merchandise: branded perfume and cologne that will set you back $249 (€211). The fragrances, called "Victory 45-47" - a reference to his two presidential terms - are "all about Winning, Strength, and Success," Trump wrote on his social network Truth Social. The launch of this latest scent has been heavily criticised, especially because of its timing – which coincided with Senate Republicans hauling Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts bill to passage by the narrowest of margins. One person commented online about the fragrance launch: '16 million Americans are about to lose their healthcare, but go buy my gross perfume…'
