8 September 1962 / Instructions from Malinovskiy and Zakharov to the Commander of the Group of Soviet Forces in Cuba
Top Secret
Especially Urgent
Eyes Only
to the Commander of the Group of Soviet Forces in Cuba
The temporary location of Soviet Armed Forces on Cuban territory is necessary for the provision of a joint defense against possible aggression directed at the USSR and the Republic of Cuba.
The decision to use the Soviet Armed Forces [indistinct] actions to repel aggression and restore [indistinct] is made by the Soviet Government.
The objective of the Group of Soviet Forces in Cuba is to prevent an enemy landing onto Cuban territory, neither from the sea nor the air. To turn Cuba into an unassailable fortress.
In meeting this objective, the commander of Soviet Forces in Cuba is guided by the following:
a) With respect to Rocket Forces
The rocket forces that are the backbone of the defense of the Soviet Union and Cuba are to stand prepared, at the signal from Moscow, to carry out nuclear missile strikes against the most important coastal targets of the United States of America. (List of targets in Attachment No. 1)
Upon the missile division’s arrival in Cuba, two R-12 regiments (539 and 546) and one R-14 regiment (564) are to be located in the western region, and one R-12 regiment (514) and R-14 regiment (657) – in the central region of Cuba.
Missile units are to be brought to missile deployment areas and take up launch positions; for the R-12 missiles, no later than [indistinct] days, and for the R-14 missiles, with the arrival of equipment – [indistinct] days.
Once the launchers are placed on combat alert [indistinct] regiments be held in readiness No. 4.
b) With Respect to PVO troops
The Group’s PVO [Air Defense] troops are to not allow any incursions into the airspace of the Republic of Cuba by foreign intruder aircraft or the conduct of air strikes against Group troops, critical administrative, political, or industrial centers, or naval bases, ports, or airfields.
The combat employment of PVO troops will be activated by the Commander of the Group of Forces.
The following PVO divisions will be deployed:
– 12th Division – to the western region of Cuban territory;
– 27th Division – to the eastern region of Cuban territory;
The 213th Fighter Air Regiment will be located at Santa Clara airfield.
After unloading of the surface-to-air missiles and fighter aviation assets in Cuba, [indistinct] establishment of combat readiness.
c) With respect to Ground Forces
Ground forces are to provide protection to missile regiments and other technical troops and Group command and control, and stand ready to render assistance to the Cuban armed forces in eliminating disembarking enemy landing forces and counter-revolutionary groups on Republic of Cuba territory.
Independent motorized rifle regiments [OMSP] will be concentrated as follows:
– 74th OMSP with Luna battalion, in the western part of Cuba, in readiness to protect Rocket Forces and to operate in the Havana and Pinar del Rio sectors;
– 43rd OMSP with Luna battalion, in the Santiago de las Vegas area, in readiness to protect the Group of Forces Headquarters and to operate in the Havana, Artemisa, Batabano, and Matanzas sectors;
– 146th OMSP with Luna battalion, in the Camajuani, Placetas, and Zulueta, in readiness to protect the Rocket Forces and operate in the Caibarien, Colon, Cienfeugos, and Fomento sectors;
– 106th OMSP in the eastern part of Cuba, in the Holguin area, in readiness to operate in the Victoria de las Tunas, Manzanillo, and Santiago de Cuba sectors.
d) With respect to the Navy
The Group’s Navy is to not allow enemy warships or transports to approach Cuba and deploy amphibious assault troops onto the shore. Be prepared to besiege from the sea the US Naval Base at Guantanamo and protect friendly transport vessels along lanes of communication close to the island.
Missile submarines are to be prepared, at the signal from Moscow, to conduct nuclear missile strikes against critical coastal targets of the US (list of targets in Attachment No. 1).
The primary forces of the fleet are to base in the Havana area and in the ports west of Havana. One division of the guided missile boat brigade is to be placed in the Banes area.
Sopka battalions are to be concentrated on the coast:
– one battalion east of Havana in the area of Santa Cruz del Norte;
– one battalion southeast of Cienfuegos in the area of Gavilan;
– one battalion northeast of Banes in the area of Cape Mulas;
– one battalion on the Isle of Pines in the area of Cape Buenavista.
The torpedo-mine air regiment will be located at the San Julian Asiento airfield, and plan and train in destroying warships and enemy assault landings from the sea.
e) With respect to the Air Force
The squadron of Il-28 delivery platform aircraft are to base at Santa Clara airfield, prepared to operate in the Havana, Guantanamo, and the Isle of Pines sectors.
The independent aviation engineering regiments [OAIP] (FKR) [cruise missiles] will be deployed:
– 231st OAIP – in the western part of Cuba, designated as the main means to attack the coast in the northeastern and northern sectors, and additionally in the direction of the Isle of Pines;
– 222nd OAIP – in the eastern part of the island. This regiment must stand ready, at the signal from the General Staff, in the main sector of the southeastern axis to conduct a strike against the US VMB [Naval Base] at Guantanamo. Additional engagement areas are in the northeastern and southwestern axes.
The MiG-21F-13 fighter air regiment is to be incorporated into a PVO division. Crews of all fighters are to train for operations to support Ground Forces and the Navy.
3. Organize the accumulation and storage of missiles, warheads, and special support equipment, as well as all combat equipment in operational service with the Group of Soviet Forces in Cuba.
4. Routinely carry out interaction and military cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Cuba and provide assistance in training Cuban Armed Forces personnel on arms and military hardware provided by the Soviet Union to the Republic of Cuba.
5. Deploy logistics units and installations and organize comprehensive materiel, maintenance, and medical support to the troops.
Logistics units are to be located in the following areas:
– primary base – comprising: the 758th base command, independent service companies, 3rd automotive platoon, 784th fuel depot, 860th food supply depot, 964th clothing warehouse, 71st bakery plant, 176th field technical laundry detachment – Mariel, Artemisa, Guira de Melena, and Rincon;
– logistics base element – comprising: the 782nd POL depot, 883rd food supply depot, an element of the 964th clothing warehouse, field laundry detachment, an element of the 71st bakery plant – Caibarien, Camajuani, Placetas;
– logistics base element – comprising: elements of the 784th POL depot, 883rd food supply depot, 964th clothing warehouse, 71st bakery plant, and the 1st field laundry detachment – Gibara, Holguin, Camasan.
Navy fuel deports will be located at the following areas: depot No. 4472 – Mariel, an element – Guanabacoa, depot No. 4465 – Banes area.
Hospitals will be deployed in the following areas: field hospital No. 965 with blood transfusion station – Guanajay; No. 121 – Camajuani, Placetas; No. 50— Holguin.
The transport of materiel is to be managed by troop transport, local rail or water transport are not to be used.
6. The operations plan for the use of the Group of Soviet Forces in Cuba is to be drawn up by 01 November 1962. [Translator Note: Date filled in by a different hand]
Attachments: 1. List of missile force and missile submarine targets for drawing up flight missions – attached separately.
2. Account of the combat strength of the Group of Soviet Forces in Cuba, on 3 pages, uch. r/t No. 164;
3. Account of the launchers, missiles, and nuclear warheads available to the Group of Forces, on 2 pages, uch. r/t No. 164.
USSR Minister of Defense [signature]
Marshal of the Soviet Union R. Malinovskiy
Chief of the General Staff [signature]
Marshal of the Soviet Union M. Zakharov
8 September 1962
No. 76438
Deliver encrypted
Translating History 