"I Was Ordered to Destroy Ukrainian Civilians": Russian Nuclear Officer Breaks Silence

A former Russian nuclear forces officer, Anton, has shared shocking details about his experiences guarding a nuclear weapons base during the initial days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, reports the BBC. According to Anton, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion, his unit was placed on full combat alert, marking the first time they were prepared to launch nuclear weapons. "We were ready to launch forces into the sea and air, and in theory, carry out a nuclear strike," he explained.

The base where Anton served was one of Russia's most secure nuclear facilities, with strict protocols in place. It was not only a highly guarded site but also a place where soldiers undergo extensive training, including lie detector tests. Anton described the base as a "closed society" with no room for outsiders; even family visits required special clearance from the FSB, Russia's security service, and a months-long request process. He recalled that his unit had a reaction time of just two minutes during training exercises, a testament to the heightened security measures. Despite these preparations, the combat alert status was lifted after two to three weeks.

For Anton and his comrades, the war was a strange and isolated experience. They weren't directly involved in the fighting, as their duty was to secure the nuclear arsenal, but they were under the watchful eye of Russian state TV for updates. The secrecy surrounding the base was strict, and Anton's role was to ensure that his soldiers didn't bring personal phones, a measure to maintain the base's security.

Russia's nuclear arsenal, consisting of thousands of warheads, remains operational and is continuously maintained, Anton emphasized, dismissing claims by Western...