August M
Concerns are rising over the safety of a key nuclear facility in Iran following recent military strikes in the region. Russian officials say urgent steps are needed to protect personnel stationed at the site.
Plans are now underway for a large-scale evacuation as tensions remain high.
Evacuation planned
According to Digi24.ro, citing EFE and Agerpres, Russia’s state nuclear agency Rosatom intends to request a ceasefire in Iran to allow the safe withdrawal of staff from the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
” We will communicate the evacuation routes through all channels to the relevant authorities in Israel and the US. We will demand full respect for the ceasefire during the transit of the convoy,” Rosatom director Alexei Likhachev said at a forum in St. Petersburg.
He added that preparations are ongoing for a final evacuation phase involving more than 200 people, expected to take place next week.
Staff reductions
The operation follows earlier evacuations triggered by US and Israeli airstrikes that began on February 28.
Digi24.ro reports that around 400 Russian specialists have already left Iran, while several dozen remain at the facility. In total, about 600 Russian personnel had been assigned to Bushehr, including 250 permanent staff.
The evacuation effort is being coordinated with Russia’s Defense Ministry.
Plant operations
Despite the security concerns, one reactor at Bushehr remains active, while another unit is still under construction with Russian involvement.
” We need to maintain operations both at the construction site and in the residential area and, obviously, help our Iranian partners in operating the first unit,” Likhachev said.
The plant, located on the Persian Gulf, uses Russian-supplied nuclear fuel, with spent fuel returned to Russia to limit proliferation risks.
Strike concerns
Russian officials have warned of severe consequences if the operational reactor is directly hit.
According to Digi24.ro, the plant’s perimeter has already been struck three times during the recent bombing campaign, including an incident near a water pumping station essential for reactor cooling.
Sources: Digi24.ro, EFE, Agerpres
