Category
Latest news

Russia Deploys Nuclear Arsenal Troops for Frontline Assaults in Ukraine

2 min read
Authors
Russia Deploys Nuclear Arsenal Troops for Frontline Assaults in Ukraine
Soldiers from the Russian Strategic Missile Forces during military exercises, February 2020. (Source: Russian Defense Ministry)

Russia has formed assault units composed of personnel from its Strategic Missile Forces  (RVSN), an OSINT analyst from Unit Observer reported on March 12.

According to the findings, the Russian command has already deployed these units in the Toretsk sector of eastern Ukraine.

Movements of soldiers from the 12th Main Directorate of the RVSN, which is responsible for nuclear weapons storage and arsenal management, were first observed near the border of occupied Donetsk and Russia in November 2024.

In December, reports emerged about an unidentified 20th Regiment operating in the Toretsk area without a clear command structure.

Further investigation, including obituaries of fallen soldiers, later confirmed that this regiment belonged to military unit No. 43879, part of the 132nd Motorized Rifle Brigade.

This brigade was found to be linked to other military units traditionally associated with nuclear security and logistics, including:

  • Unit No. 25625 (“Object 1200” – Khabarovsk-47).

  • Unit No. 73752 (a repair and technical base).

  • Unit No. 39995 (“Object 644” – Irkutsk-45), which handles security and engineering support.

List of missing Russian soldiers, likely from RVSN assault brigade. (Source: WarUnitObserver/X)
List of missing Russian soldiers, likely from RVSN assault brigade. (Source: WarUnitObserver/X)

The first mention of an RVSN motorized rifle regiment dates back to July 2024, indicating that its formation began in mid-2024.

Earlier, Polish President Andrzej Duda urged the United States to station nuclear weapons in Poland, arguing that such a move is necessary to deter Russia.

Duda suggested that US President Donald Trump could relocate nuclear warheads currently stored in Western Europe or the United States to Polish territory. He confirmed that he recently discussed this proposal with Trump adviser Keith Kellogg.

"NATO’s borders moved eastward in 1999, so after 26 years, its infrastructure should move eastward as well. To me, this is obvious. I believe it is not just the right time—it would be safer if these weapons were already here,” Duda stated.

See all

The Strategic Rocket Forces of the Russian Federation or the Strategic Missile Forces of the Russian Federation (RVSN RF) is a separate combat arm that controls Russia’s land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). It was formerly part of the Soviet Armed Forces from 1959 to 1991.