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Russia Evacuates Personnel from Bushehr Nuclear Plant Amid Security Risks
Russia's state nuclear energy firm Rosatom has begun evacuating nearly all staff from the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant due to heightened security concerns. Only a small number of workers will remain to monitor equipment. Separately, US officials warned Rosatom against accessing American nuclear technology at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia plant.
Apr 19, 4:35 AM·1m read3 sources
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The move follows heightened security risks in the region. The company's chief announced that workers are departing, leaving a small number to oversee equipment.
The evacuation began recently, as reported by multiple outlets. Bushehr is Iran's only operational nuclear power plant, built with Russian assistance. The plant has been a point of international attention due to regional tensions.
The United States Department of Energy sent a letter to Rosatom regarding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
The letter stated that the facility contains US-origin nuclear technical data subject to export controls. Russian forces have controlled the plant since occupying the Zaporizhzhia region after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The plant, Europe's largest nuclear power station, is located in Enerhodar and has been disconnected from Ukraine's power grid multiple times due to shelling.
Ukrainian staff continue to operate it physically, while the company manages it. The US letter warned that handling the technology by Russian citizens or entities would violate US law. The Department of Energy's letter, dated March 17, 2023, specified that unauthorized access, possession, or manipulation of the data is unlawful.
It is unclear if Rosatom has responded. Officials confirmed the letter's authenticity in a statement.
