Recent reports indicate that Russian personnel are present at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, the country's only operational nuclear facility, which was constructed with Russian assistance. Amid escalating tensions and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, concerns have been raised about the safety of these personnel and the potential for a catastrophic incident at Bushehr.
Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have stated that there are approximately 600 Russian personnel at Bushehr, comprising 250 permanent employees and others on temporary assignments[1]. Due to the ongoing Israeli airstrikes that began on June 13, 2025, Russia has evacuated some of its staff from the site. Alexei Likhachev, head of Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear corporation, confirmed that "tens" of employees have been withdrawn, and the agency is prepared for a full evacuation if necessary[2][3][4]. Despite these evacuations, essential personnel remain at the facility, and Likhachev has described the current situation at Bushehr as "normal" and under control as of June 20, 2025[1].
Importantly, there is no confirmation that Bushehr itself has been directly targeted by Israeli strikes. An initial claim by an Israeli military representative suggesting the site was hit was later retracted as "an error," with the official unable to confirm or deny an attack on the Gulf coast location[2]. Experts and analysts, including Maxim Starchak from Queen’s University in Canada and Fabian Hinz from the International Institute of Strategic Studies, have noted that a direct strike on Bushehr is unlikely due to the risk of a nuclear disaster with regional consequences, and because the plant is not considered part of Iran's nuclear weapons program[3][5].
Russian officials have expressed significant alarm over the potential for an attack on Bushehr, warning of a "Chernobyl-style catastrophe" if the functioning first power unit were struck[2][5]. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, has called attacks on civilian nuclear facilities "intolerable and unlawful," emphasizing the safety concerns for Russian specialists at Bushehr and urging Israel to cease such actions[2][5]. Additionally, Putin has noted assurances from Israel regarding the safety of Russian personnel at the site, reflecting ongoing diplomatic discussions amid Russia's partnerships with both Iran and Israel[2][3].
While other Iranian nuclear sites, such as Fordow, have been targeted in the recent Israeli bombing campaign, there is no specific mention in the available information of Russian personnel being present at those locations[4]. Russia's primary concern and personnel presence appear to be focused at Bushehr, where their long-standing nuclear cooperation with Iran is most evident[4].
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- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/situation-irans-bushehr-nuclear-plant-is-normal-russian-official-says-2025-06-20/
- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/russia-warns-strike-irans-bushehr-nuclear-plant-could-cause-chernobyl-style-2025-06-19/
- https://theins.ru/en/news/282325
- https://kyivindependent.com/fueling-chaos-across-the-middle-east-russian-nuclear-diplomacy-and-irans-weapons-program/
- https://www.newsweek.com/russia-issues-new-nuclear-warning-iran-israel-conflictalarm-bells-2088384
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