Military Transport Linked to Russia’s Nuclear Command Spotted in Crimea

Military trucks associated with the 12th Main Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense, responsible for the storage, maintenance, and operation of nuclear weapons, have been observed moving through occupied Crimea, according to reports from Krym.Realii project, which cites eyewitnesses.

The vehicles were spotted on roads in Kerch and across the Kerch Peninsula. These trucks are identifiable by their registration plates, which carry the code “39,” denoting the 12th Directorate within the Russian Armed Forces.

The 12th Main Directorate also oversees the Special Control Service, a unit tasked with monitoring nuclear tests conducted by other nations. The sighting of these vehicles in Crimea has raised concerns given the sensitive nature of the unit’s responsibilities.

Earlier, Russian propaganda began spreading claims that Ukraine was allegedly preparing to attack the Zaporizhzhia and Kursk nuclear power plants. In response, Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, stated that this narrative could indicate Russia’s intentions to stage a nuclear provocation.

Kovalenko emphasized that Russia’s previous attempts to accuse Ukraine of terrorism and attacks on the Kursk NPP had failed, and now they are falsely alleging that Ukraine is planning to use a “dirty bomb.” This shift in narrative, according to Kovalenko, suggests that Russia might be planning a terrorist act.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also refuted the Russian propaganda, affirming that Ukraine has neither the intention nor the capability to carry out such actions. Ukraine remains a committed member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and as noted by the ministry’s spokesperson, the claims of Ukraine possessing or planning to acquire “dirty bombs” are baseless. A 2022 investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) debunked similar accusations, and nothing has changed since then.