Inside Russia's nuclear forces: An officer breaks silence
- Before that, we had only exercises. But on the day the war started, the weapons were fully in place - says a former officer of the Russian nuclear forces. - We were ready to launch the forces into the sea and air and, in theory, carry out a nuclear strike - the Russian adds in an interview with the BBC.
BBC journalists met with Anton, a former officer of the Russian nuclear forces, outside Russia. For security reasons, the BBC is not disclosing the meeting location. - They also altered his name and are not displaying his face, - the network states.
Anton served as an officer in a highly secretive nuclear facility in Russia.
"Special mode of combat service"
He showed documents confirming his place of service, military rank, and unit. The BBC cannot independently verify all the events he described, but they align with the statements of Russian officials from that time.
Three days after Russian troops moved into Ukraine, Vladimir Putin announced that Russian nuclear deterrent forces were put on a "special mode of combat service."
Anton claims that on the first day of the war, a combat alert was declared at his base, adding that his unit was "locked inside the base."
- All we had was Russian state TV - he says. - I didn’t really know what it all meant. I automatically carried out my duties. We weren’t fighting in the war, we were just guarding the nuclear weapons - he adds.
According to him, the heightened state of readiness was cancelled after two or three weeks.
Strict control and two minutes to react
Anton claims that to enter the unit, one had to undergo a series of checks, including lie detector tests for everyone. - The pay is much higher, and the troops aren’t sent to war. They’re there to either repel, or carry out, a nuclear strike.
The former officer discusses the strict control of all aspects of life. - It was my responsibility to ensure the soldiers under me didn’t take any phones on to the nuclear base - he explains.
It's a closed community with no outsiders. He added that if you wanted your parents to visit, you had to apply to the FSB three months before the planned visit.
Anton was a unit member responsible for the base's security - rapid response forces protecting nuclear weapons. They had only two minutes to react in an emergency situation.
According to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has about 4,380 active nuclear warheads, but only 1,700 are "deployed," meaning ready for use. NATO countries collectively have a similar number of warheads.
There are fears that Vladimir Putin might decide to use tactical nuclear weapons. These are smaller-calibre missiles that typically do not result in widespread radioactive fallout.
Last week, Putin approved changes to the nuclear doctrine - the official rules outlining when and how Russia may use nuclear weapons.
The doctrine currently states that Russia may use a missile in the event of a "massive attack" with conventional missiles by a non-nuclear state, but only "with the participation or support of a nuclear state."
Anton's escape. He received a "criminal order"
Anton recounts that shortly after the war started, he received a "criminal order" – to conduct propaganda among the soldiers in line with specific written instructions.
- They said that Ukrainian civilians are combatants and should be destroyed - he said. - That’s a red line for me - it’s a war crime. I said I won’t spread this propaganda - the military man said.
For his refusal, Anton was punished with a reprimand and transferred to a regular assault brigade in another part of the country. He was informed he would be sent to war.
Before being sent to the front, he filed for refusal to participate in the war, which resulted in him facing a military court. Anton presented documents confirming his transfer and the details of the proceedings.
With the help of a volunteer organization assisting deserters, Anton managed to flee the country.
- 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 says.
Russian authorities want Anton. He has cut off contact with friends from the base to avoid putting them at risk.
