A high-ranking officer from Russia’s nuclear forces has broken his silence, offering a chilling glimpse into the inner workings of Vladimir Putin’s military apparatus. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Anton—a defector who fled Russia after refusing to fight in Ukraine—revealed shocking details about nuclear readiness, military propaganda, and the harrowing risks faced by deserters.
“Weapons fully positioned”: Nuclear base on high alert
Anton disclosed that his secretive nuclear weapons base was placed on full combat alert the day Russia invaded Ukraine, February 24, 2022. “Before this, we only conducted drills. But on the day the war began, the weapons were fully positioned,” he told the BBC. This marked a drastic escalation, with nuclear posturing becoming a central element of Russia’s strategy to deter Western support for Kyiv.
Moscow’s veiled nuclear threats—combined with hybrid warfare tactics like cyberattacks, disinformation, and sabotage—aim to destabilize Europe and deter military aid to Ukraine. Anton’s revelations paint a picture of a military on edge, with stringent protocols and heightened tensions behind closed doors.
Life inside a nuclear base: a world of paranoia
Anton described the nuclear base as a “closed society” governed by draconian security measures. Soldiers were subjected to constant scrutiny, including lie detector tests, and personal electronics were strictly prohibited. Family visits required months of advance approval from the FSB, Russia’s powerful security service.
The defector served in a rapid-response unit with a two-minute deployment time. He dismissed claims by Western experts that Russia’s nuclear arsenal might be outdated or dysfunctional, stating, “There may be some antiquated weapons in certain areas, but the country has an enormous nuclear arsenal.” According to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia holds approximately 4,380 operational nuclear warheads, with 1,700 ready for immediate use.
Propaganda and ethical breaches
Anton’s role extended beyond security. He was ordered to deliver lectures filled with propaganda, which he described as deeply unethical. “They told us that Ukrainian civilians were combatants and should be destroyed,” he revealed. Refusing to perpetuate what he viewed as lies, Anton was reassigned to an assault brigade.
Faced with deployment to the front lines, Anton took a stand. He signed a declaration refusing to participate in the war, triggering a criminal case against him. With the help of ‘Idite Lesom,’ a volunteer organization assisting Russian deserters, Anton managed to flee the country, escaping a system that brooks no dissent.
The growing wave of desertion
Anton’s story is not unique. According to ‘Idite Lesom,’ roughly 350 Russian soldiers seek their assistance every month. However, the risks are immense. At least one deserter has reportedly been killed after fleeing, while others face forced returns and trials. Despite these dangers, the number of those refusing to fight is steadily rising, a testament to growing disillusionment within Russia’s ranks.
A defector’s warning
Anton’s account highlights the scale of repression and propaganda within Russia’s armed forces, as well as the Kremlin’s willingness to weaponize its nuclear arsenal as a tool of intimidation. His defection underscores a broader narrative of resistance, even within the rigid confines of Putin’s military machine.
As the war in Ukraine drags on, the testimony of defectors like Anton sheds light on the deep cracks forming in Russia’s military edifice. Yet, it also serves as a sobering reminder of the nuclear threat that looms over an increasingly unstable world.