Russia evacuates 198 workers from Bushehr Nuclear Plant

April 04, 2026 / 6:19 PM

Sharjah 24 – AFP: Russia has begun a planned evacuation of 198 workers from Iran’s Bushehr atomic plant following a US-Israeli projectile strike near the facility, according to Russian state media on Saturday.

Third evacuation amid ongoing attacks

This marks the third evacuation from the Gulf coast facility, which was constructed with Russian assistance. About 100 Russian staff remain at the plant. The surrounding area has been hit four times during the conflict, with Saturday’s attack killing one guard but causing no damage to the plant, according to Iranian state media.

Rosatom confirms evacuation details

Alexey Likhachev, head of Russia’s nuclear agency Rosatom, told TASS that buses carrying 198 personnel departed for the Iranian-Armenian border shortly after the strike, describing it as the largest evacuation to date. He confirmed that the US and Israel were informed of the operation.

Increased nuclear risk and skeleton staffing

Likhachev warned that the risk of damage or a potential nuclear incident is growing amid the attacks. Rosatom plans to maintain only a skeleton staff at Bushehr to reduce exposure to further strikes.

Russia condemns US-Israeli attack

The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the “evil” US-Israeli attack and called for an immediate halt to hostilities targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.