JUST IN: Russia Evacuates 198 More Staff from Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Largest Wave Yet Amid Strikes

By Reflecto News Staff
April 5, 2026

Lahore, Pakistan – Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom has evacuated another 198 of its personnel from Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in what officials described as the largest single wave of the ongoing drawdown. The evacuation began on Saturday morning, shortly after a reported U.S.-Israeli projectile strike near the facility that killed one Iranian security guard.

Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev confirmed the operation, stating that buses departed from the plant toward the Iranian-Armenian border approximately 20 minutes after the strike. The group is expected to reach safety within 2–3 days. A small number of “volunteers” (up to 50) will reportedly remain to maintain basic operability of the plant.

This latest evacuation follows earlier waves, including 163 staff in late March, as Rosatom progressively reduces its presence at the Russian-built facility amid repeated strikes.

Satellite view of Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on the Persian Gulf coast, site of multiple reported strikes and the ongoing Russian staff evacuation. (Representative image)

Safety Concerns Drive the Evacuation

The move comes as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that attacks on nuclear facilities expose the entire Persian Gulf region to serious risks of radioactive contamination. Araghchi stressed that fallout from Bushehr — located directly on the coast — could primarily threaten GCC capitals due to wind and ocean currents, rather than inland Tehran.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed “deep concern” over the strikes, confirming a projectile hit an auxiliary building near the perimeter with no immediate radiation leak or damage to the main reactor reported. However, the agency reiterated that nuclear sites must never be attacked.

Russia has condemned the strikes on Bushehr as an “evil deed” and coordinated aspects of the evacuation with relevant parties, including requests for a temporary ceasefire window during staff movement.

Context in the Ongoing Iran War

The evacuation underscores escalating risks at Bushehr, which has now faced four reported strikes since the conflict began in late February 2026:

• President Donald Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum on reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains in effect, with Senator Lindsey Graham warning of a “massive military operation” if Iran does not comply.
• Iran has rejected temporary ceasefire proposals and maintains selective restrictions on Hormuz traffic (with exemptions for countries like Iraq).
• U.S. forces continue drawing heavily on precision munitions, including JASSM-ER stealth cruise missiles, with stockpiles significantly depleted.
• Fresh strikes have caused massive explosions in northern Tehran, Isfahan, and other areas.
• Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya claims core military capabilities remain largely intact.

Bushehr, Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant (1,000 MW capacity), was constructed with Russian assistance and has hosted hundreds of Rosatom technicians. The progressive evacuation reduces Russia’s on-site exposure while highlighting the growing danger of a radiological incident in a densely populated and strategically vital region.

Implications

The departure of most Russian specialists could impact maintenance and future operations at the plant, while raising broader concerns about nuclear safety in the Persian Gulf. Gulf states, dependent on desalination plants, face heightened risks from any potential contamination.

Russia’s actions signal deepening concern over escalation, even as it continues diplomatic criticism of the U.S.-Israeli campaign.

Reflecto News is monitoring the status of the evacuated personnel, any IAEA radiation updates, developments around Trump’s ultimatum, and further statements from Rosatom, Tehran, or Moscow.

This is a rapidly developing story. Updates will follow as more details emerge regarding the evacuation route, remaining staff, and the overall security situation at Bushehr.