USS Nucleus (AM-268) was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the United States Navy during World War II and in commission from 1943 to 1945.

[citation needed] Nucleus was laid down at Chickasaw, Alabama, by the Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation on 7 September 1942, launched on 26 June 1943, sponsored by Mrs. V. Ludwig, and commissioned on 11 February 1944.

Following shakedown in the Chesapeake Bay, Nucleus served briefly as an escort vessel to the Caribbean, then on 20 April 1944 proceeded to Boston.

Relieved of weather duties by her sister ship USS Penetrate on 7 October 1944, Nucleus returned to Boston, then steamed to Norfolk, Virginia, arriving there on 25 November 1944.

[4] The Soviet Union never returned Nucleus to the United States, instead converting her into a naval trawler in 1948[citation needed] and renaming her Uragan.