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Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant. |
Gosatomnadzor, the Russian nuclear regulatory agency, was warned of movement
towards the Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant by an armed group from Chechnya.
The nuclear power plant houses four nuclear
reactors. Russian special forces were called in to guard the plant,
and other security measures were taken. In addition, the Rosenergoatom
Crisis Center issued an alert for all Russian nuclear power plants to
be on guard against a possible terrorist attack.
The attack ultimately did not occur, and the Chechen group was found
to have stopped well before reaching the Balakovo plant. It remains unclear
whether the group really intended to attack the nuclear power plant. However,
Chechen rebels have made repeated threats against Russian nuclear power
plants. These threats are only one illustration of the real potential
for nuclear power plants to be targeted by terrorists.
