Table of Contents
- 1 “We weren’t fighting, we were just guarding the nuclear weapons”
- 2 “Strictly controlled life”
- 3 **To what extent does Anton’s testimony corroborate or contradict public statements made by Russian officials regarding the status of their nuclear forces during the initial phase of the Ukraine invasion?**
A Russian deserter has given an interview to the BBC on the day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 where the nuclear weapons base he was serving at was put on full combat alert.
“Before that, we only had drills. But the day the war started, the weapons were in full readiness,” says Anton, a former officer in the Russian nuclear forces. “We were ready to unleash forces at sea and in the air and, in theory, to carry out a nuclear strike.”
The BBC caught up with Anton at a secret location outside Russia. The BBC does not reveal where, has changed his name and does not show his face.
Anton was an officer at a top secret nuclear weapons facility in Russia. He showed the British Media confirming his unit, rank and base.
“We weren’t fighting, we were just guarding the nuclear weapons”
Three days after troops marched to Ukraine’s border, Vladimir Putin announced that Russia’s nuclear deterrent forces had been ordered into “special combat mode.”
Anton says combat alert was in effect from the first day of the war and claims his unit was “locked inside the base”.
“All we had was Russian state TV,” says the former officer, “I didn’t really know what it all meant. I automatically performed my tasks. We weren’t fighting, we were just guarding the nuclear weapons.”
The state of alert was lifted, he adds, after two to three weeks. His testimony gives insight into the top-secret inner workings of Russia’s nuclear forces. It is extremely rare for service members to speak to reporters.
“Strictly controlled life”
“There is a very strict selection process there. All are professional soldiers – no draftees. There are constant checks and lie detector tests for everyone. The pay is much higher and the troops are not sent to war. They are there either to repel or to carry out a nuclear strike,” says Anton.
The former officer says life was tightly controlled. “It was my responsibility to ensure that the soldiers under my command did not pick up phones at the nuclear base,” he explains.
“It’s a closed society, there are no outsiders there. If you want your parents to visit you, you have to submit a request to the FSB Security Service three months in advance.”
#Secrets #Russias #Nuclear #Base #Russian #Deserter
**To what extent does Anton’s testimony corroborate or contradict public statements made by Russian officials regarding the status of their nuclear forces during the initial phase of the Ukraine invasion?**
## Russian Deserter: “Nuclear Forces on High Alert During Ukraine Invasion”
**Exclusive Interview with Former Russian Nuclear Officer Raises Alarming Concerns**
In a chilling revelation, a former Russian officer, who served at a nuclear weapons base, has provided a firsthand account of the heightened alert status of Russia’s nuclear arsenal during the initial stages of the invasion of Ukraine.
Anton, who defected from Russia and is now living in secrecy outside the country, spoke exclusively to the BBC on the day war broke out.
“Before that, we only had drills,” Anton stated, describing the standard operating procedure prior to the invasion. “But the day the war started, the weapons were in full readiness.”
His testimony paints a disturbing picture of the operational posture of Russia’s nuclear forces. ”We were ready to unleash forces at sea and in the air,” Anton explained, outlining the comprehensive nature of the alert, “and, in theory, to carry out a nuclear strike.”
The BBC chose not to disclose Anton’s location for his safety, underscoring thegravity of his accusations and the potential repercussions he faces for speaking out against his former government.
While Anton’s account remains unverified by independent sources, it adds fuel to the ongoing debate about the potential dangers of nuclear escalation in the context of the war in Ukraine.
**Implications and Concerns**
Anton’s testimony raises several critical questions:
* **Escalation Dynamics:** The presence of Russian nuclear forces on high alert immediately following the invasion highlights the precarious nature of the situation and the potential for rapid escalation.
* **Command and Control:** It also raises concerns about the robustness of Russia’s nuclear command and control systems and the safeguards in place to prevent unauthorized launch.
* **International Response:**
This revelation underscores the urgent need for international dialogue and diplomacy to mitigate the risk of nuclear confrontation. Anton’s account serves as a stark reminder of the potentially catastrophic consequences of the ongoing conflict.
**The BBC is committed to continuing to investigate this matter further and will publish any new developments as they arise.**
**Note:** This is a fictionalized account based on the provided text. Please
note that the information presented here should not be considered verified news.
