Rosatom CEO warns of Chernobyl-like disaster if Bushehr nuclear plant attacked

A potential attack on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant could lead to a catastrophe on the scale of the Chernobyl disaster, Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) has warned.

On the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Rosatom CEP Alexey Likhachov said that part of the Rosatom personnel who were on assignment at Bushehr have already been evacuated via Azerbaijan and Armenia, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“Thanks to Azerbaijan and Armenia for their help with the evacuation — using different routes but with such a positive outcome,” he added.

Rosatom is prepared for any scenario and does not rule out the possibility of a full evacuation of staff from the Bushehr facility in Iran, Likhachov emphasized.

“Our specialists, along with Iranian personnel at the Bushehr site, are showing great courage. Normal operations are continuing at Unit 1, and construction of additional units is ongoing. However, we are literally just steps away from an emergency situation,” he said.

By Khagan Isayev