Russian deserter reveals war secrets of guarding nuclear base

In a revealing account, a former officer named Anton, who served at a nuclear weapons base in Russia, shared his experiences during the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. On the very day the invasion began, Anton reported that the nuclear base was placed on high alert. He stated, 'Before that, we had only exercises. But on the day the war started, the weapons were fully in place. ' This indicates that the personnel at the base were prepared to launch nuclear weapons if necessary. Anton spoke to a BBC reporter in a secret location outside of Russia, and for his safety, the reporter did not disclose the meeting place. Anton's name was changed, and his face was blurred in the images to protect his identity. He provided documents that confirmed his rank and unit, but the BBC could not independently verify all the details he shared. However, his account aligns with the statements made by Russian officials at that time. Just three days after the invasion commenced, President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia's nuclear deterrence forces were on alert. Anton explained that his unit was 'shut inside the base' and that they only had access to Russian state television. He remarked, '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. ' According to Anton, the state of alert was lifted after two to three weeks. His testimony provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Russia's nuclear forces, as it is uncommon for military personnel to speak to journalists. He elaborated on the strict selection process for those who work at the base, stating, 'Everyone is a professional soldier – no conscripts. ' There are regular checks and lie-detector tests for all personnel, and the pay is significantly higher than for regular soldiers. These troops are not sent to fight in wars; their primary responsibility is to protect the nuclear arsenal and be prepared to use it if necessary. Anton described life at the base as highly controlled. He was responsible for ensuring that the soldiers under his command did not bring any phones onto the base. He explained, 'It’s a closed society, there are no strangers there. ' If a soldier wanted their family to visit, they had to submit a request to the FSB Security Service three months in advance. Anton was part of the base's security unit, which was a rapid-reaction force tasked with guarding the nuclear weapons. He expressed pride in his training, saying, 'We had constant training exercises. Our reaction time was two minutes. ' According to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia possesses approximately 4,380 operational nuclear warheads, with around 1,700 of them being deployed and ready for use. There are concerns that President Putin might consider using smaller, tactical nuclear weapons, which are less powerful but could still escalate the conflict significantly. The Kremlin has been testing the West's resolve, and recently, Putin ratified changes to the nuclear doctrine, which outlines the conditions under which Russia can launch nuclear weapons. The updated doctrine states that Russia can respond with nuclear force if it faces a 'massive attack' from conventional missiles by a non-nuclear state, especially if that state has the support of a nuclear power. Anton also recounted a troubling directive he received shortly after the war began. He was ordered to conduct lectures for his troops that included specific propaganda. He stated, 'They said that Ukrainian civilians are combatants and should be destroyed! ' This order deeply troubled him, and he refused to spread such propaganda, calling it a 'war crime. ' As a result, he was transferred to a regular assault brigade, which is often the first wave sent into battle. Many Russian soldiers who oppose the war have been sent to the front lines as 'cannon fodder. ' Before he could be deployed, Anton signed a statement refusing to participate in the war, which led to a criminal case being opened against him. He showed documents confirming his transfer and the details of the criminal case. With assistance from a volunteer organization for deserters, he managed to escape the country. He explained that if he had fled from the nuclear base, the local FSB Security Service would have reacted strongly, making it difficult for him to leave. However, because he was transferred to a regular brigade, he was able to slip through the cracks of the security system. Anton wants the world to understand that many Russian soldiers are against the war. The volunteer organization that helps deserters, known as 'Idite Lesom' or 'Go by the Forest,' reported that the number of deserters seeking assistance has risen to 350 each month. The risks for those attempting to flee are increasing as well. At least one deserter has been killed after escaping, and there have been instances of men being forcibly returned to Russia and facing trial. Although Anton is no longer in Russia, he believes that security services are still searching for him. He stated, 'I take precautions here, I work off the books and I don’t show up in any official systems. ' He has ceased communication with his friends at the nuclear base to avoid putting them in danger. He is acutely aware that the more he helps other soldiers escape, the greater the risk to his own life. 'I understand the more I do that, the higher the chances they could try and kill me.