October 25, 1962
Telegram from TROSTNIK (Soviet Defense Minister Rodion Malinovsky) to PAVLOV (General Isa Pliev)
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TROSTNIK[1]…to Comrade PAVLOV[2] personally
In connection with the fact that US Navy is blockading approaches to Cuba, we made a decision not to send 665 and 668 RP [missile regiment] to you. You should not unload warheads for R-14 from transport ship “Alexandrovsk.” If they are already unloaded, organize secret loading back onto “Alexandrovsk.” Transport ship “Alexandrovsk” with the warheads for R-14 should be prepared for transportation back to the Soviet Union, accompanied by “Almetievsk.” Remove the cannons with the crews. Carefully instruct captain of the ship and head of the echelon about their conduct on their way and their actions in accordance with their instructions. In case of extreme situation they have to sink the ship.
Report on readiness of “Alexandrovsk” for departure.
Director
25 October
[1] Trostnik, which means "reed" in Russian, was a code name for Soviet Defense Minister Marshal Rodion Y. Malinovsky.
[2] "Pavlov" was used as a code name for General Isa A. Pliev, commander of Soviet forces in Cuba.
Malinovsky provides military instructions in response to US Navy blockading access to Cuba.
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