Deserter Says Russia Was Prepared To Launch Nukes On Day Of Ukraine Invasion

Smoke rises from a military airport in Ukraine days after Russia invaded in February 2022. A deserter stationed at a top secret base in Russia said nuclear weapons "were fully in place" on the day of the attack. (Credit: ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Nuclear weapons at a top-secret base in Russia were "fully in place" and ready to be launched when President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion into neighboring Ukraine in February 2022, a deserter told the BBC.

The former officer, identified only as Anton to protect his anonymity, told the outlet that he was stationed at a secretive nuclear arms base that was put on full combat alert in the leadup to the attack.