In the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Anton, a former officer at one of Russia’s top-secret nuclear weapons facilities, found himself on high alert. He recalls the moment when his base was placed on full combat readiness a situation that had never occurred before except in training exercises.
“When the war began, everything changed. The weapons were fully in place, ready for use,” Anton says. “We were prepared to launch strikes into the sea and air. In theory, we could have initiated a nuclear attack.”
Anton’s account provides a rare glimpse into the workings of Russia’s nuclear forces, a topic shrouded in secrecy. For his protection, the BBC has not revealed his true identity or location. His story sheds light on the stringent security, constant vigilance, and high-stakes nature of guarding Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
Anton was stationed at a base whose security protocols were unlike any other. The Russian military operates under extreme secrecy at these facilities, and only top-tier officers, rather than conscripts, are selected to serve. The facilities themselves are closed societies, where even family visits are heavily controlled by the FSB (Federal Security Service).
“Once you’re there, your life is highly controlled,” Anton explains. “We weren’t allowed phones, and even the smallest personal request, like a family visit, had to go through the FSB, sometimes months in advance.”
Anton served in a rapid-reaction unit charged with safeguarding nuclear weapons. His job was to ensure the security of the base, a responsibility he took seriously. The reaction time for his team in the event of an emergency was set at two minutes. “We were always on alert,” he says with a tone of pride.
The nuclear base was on full combat readiness following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, this heightened state of alert was not a constant feature. After a few weeks, Anton says the readiness was de-escalated, but the significance of the situation was clear. Russia’s nuclear deterrent forces were ready for action.
Despite the secrecy surrounding Russia’s nuclear capabilities, experts estimate that Russia possesses around 4,380 nuclear warheads, with about 1,700 deployed and ready for use. These weapons, which include both strategic and non-strategic (tactical) nuclear missiles, form the backbone of Russia’s defense strategy. The threat of their use in Ukraine remains a serious concern, especially after President Vladimir Putin ratified changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine. The updated doctrine permits nuclear strikes if Russia faces a “massive attack” from conventional missiles, even if that attack involves the support of a nuclear power.
Anton insists that Russia’s nuclear arsenal is fully functional. “The maintenance is constant,” he says. “We have a huge stockpile, and it’s always battle-ready. It’s not just about old weapons; Russia’s nuclear forces are operational.”
However, Anton’s testimony also reveals the darker side of life in the Russian military. Shortly after the war began, Anton received orders to hold lectures with his soldiers, propagating an alarming message: Ukrainian civilians were to be considered combatants and were to be destroyed. “That was a red line for me,” Anton explains. “It felt like a war crime. I refused to spread that propaganda.”
His refusal to comply with what he considered an immoral order led to a transfer to a regular assault brigade often used as the “first wave” in battle. It is a grim reality that Russian deserters often find themselves used as cannon fodder when they protest the war. Anton, determined not to participate, signed a statement rejecting the war and was subsequently criminalized for his stance.
Despite the risks, Anton continues to help other soldiers escape Russia’s war effort, fully aware that the more he does so, the greater the danger to his own life. “The more I resist, the higher the chances they could try and kill me,” he admits.
Anton’s story, though unverifiable in some parts, offers an unsettling perspective on the inner workings of Russia’s nuclear forces and the moral dilemmas faced by those who serve in them. It is a reminder of the human cost of war and the dark choices soldiers must sometimes make.