A former Russian officer, identified only as Anton for his safety, has revealed startling insights into the operations of a top-secret nuclear weapons base where he once served. Speaking from an undisclosed location, Anton disclosed details about the heightened state of readiness at the facility on the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The BBC, which interviewed Anton, has verified his credentials but cannot independently confirm all aspects of his account.
Combat Readiness at the Outset of the War
Anton described how the nuclear base was placed on full combat alert on the first day of the invasion. According to his testimony, “the weapons were fully in place,” prepared for deployment. This readiness coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement days later that the country’s nuclear deterrence forces were being shifted to a “special mode of combat service.”
The heightened alert persisted for several weeks before being scaled back, Anton noted. During this period, his unit was confined to the base, where soldiers relied solely on Russian state-controlled television for updates. Despite the state of readiness, Anton’s responsibilities were limited to guarding nuclear weapons and ensuring operational security.
The Strict World of Nuclear Base Operations
Anton provided rare insight into the insular environment of Russia’s nuclear weapons facilities, where stringent security measures and rigorous checks are standard. “There is a very strict selection process,” he said, adding that personnel undergo lie-detector tests and enjoy higher pay than regular troops.
“It’s a closed society,” he explained. Visitors, even close family, must secure permission months in advance from the FSB, Russia’s Federal Security Service. Anton’s duties included ensuring soldiers adhered to strict security protocols, such as prohibiting personal devices on the base.
Insights into Russia’s Nuclear Arsenal
Anton rejected suggestions that Russia’s nuclear capabilities were outdated, countering claims that much of the arsenal dates back to the Soviet era. He asserted that the country’s nuclear forces remain operational and well-maintained.
“Work to maintain the nuclear weapons is carried out constantly, it never stops,” he said, emphasising the robustness of Russia’s nuclear infrastructure, which includes assets on land, sea, and air.
Escalation and Propaganda
In the weeks following the invasion, Anton said he was ordered to deliver propaganda to his troops, including instructions to label Ukrainian civilians as combatants. He refused, calling the directive a “war crime.” This act of defiance led to his transfer to a regular assault brigade, often tasked with high-risk front-line duties. He was informed he would soon be deployed to the war zone.
Anton viewed the transfer as punishment for dissent, a practice corroborated by other deserters who have described similar treatment of “troublemakers” within the Russian military.
Flight from Russia
Before being sent to Ukraine, Anton refused to participate in the war and was subjected to a criminal investigation. Using documents obtained from him, the BBC confirmed details of his reassignment and the charges he faced. With assistance from a volunteer organisation, Anton fled Russia.
His escape was fraught with risk. “If I had run away from the nuclear forces base, then the local FSB Security Service would’ve reacted decisively, and I probably wouldn’t have been able to leave the country,” he said. His transfer to a conventional brigade, however, facilitated his departure due to a lapse in the stringent oversight typically imposed on nuclear forces personnel.
Growing Numbers of Deserters
Anton’s story is not unique. A group assisting Russian military deserters, Idite Lesom (loosely translated as “Get Lost”), reports that it now receives requests for help from 350 deserters each month. While some have successfully fled abroad, others have faced dire consequences, including forced returns to Russia and criminal prosecution. At least one deserter is known to have been killed after leaving the country.
Despite living under constant threat, Anton continues to support other soldiers seeking to escape. However, he acknowledges the risks. “I understand the more I do that, the higher the chances they could try and kill me.”
Implications for the War and Beyond
Anton’s revelations shed light on the operational readiness and internal dynamics of Russia’s nuclear forces, as well as the broader challenges faced by dissenting soldiers. The updated Russian nuclear doctrine, which allows for nuclear retaliation under certain non-nuclear attacks, has further heightened concerns among Western countries.
While the Russian government has not commented on Anton’s claims, his account is a proof of significant pressures within Russia’s military apparatus, both for those who serve and for those who dissent. His decision to speak out highlights the complex and often dangerous dynamics of a system heavily reliant on loyalty and secrecy.
