Russian officials lodged an official protest with Israel in recent days after a strike near the Iranian city of Bushehr unknowingly hit in the vicinity of Russian scientists working in the area, according to a source familiar with the details.
The strike targeted a nuclear power plant near Bushehr as part of Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion against Iran’s Islamic regime.
The attack ended without Russian casualties, but Moscow complained that the target struck was located in a residential area where workers from the power plant live.
Russian officials told Israeli counterparts that repeated strikes near Russian experts are unacceptable and warned that Israel must take precautionary measures.
A few days ago, Alexey Likhachev, director-general of Rosatom, said that approximately 639 Russian personnel remain in Iran.
Likhachev warned about the danger posed by strikes near Iranian nuclear facilities, saying explosions could be heard “just kilometers away” from the Bushehr plant, though the facility itself was not targeted.
Previous assurances of safety for Russian workers
In 2025, during Operation Rising Lion, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Israel had provided assurances regarding the safety of Russian personnel working at the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
“We agreed with the leadership of Israel that their security would be ensured,” Putin said.