Putin Briefed on Security at Nuclear SitesRussian Atomic Energy Minister Yevgeny Adamov briefed President Vladimir Putin at a meeting Thursday on security measures at the country's nuclear power stations and other facilities with radioactive and explosive materials under the ministry's control.Adamov said Putin called the meeting in light of Tuesday's bomb blast at Moscow's Pushkin Square, the Interfax news agency reported. Eight people were killed and more than 100 others injured in the blast, which hit an underpass not far away from the Kremlin. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. There "are not many" nuclear facilities in Moscow, and most of the 40 such installations at the ministry's responsibility are located in the Urals and Siberia, said Adamov. Putin and Adamov also discussed the situation and the outlook of the nuclear energy sector. Output from the nuclear plants will increase by at least 10 billion KWHs this year, Interfax said. The death toll in Tuesday's rush hour blast in central Moscow has risen to eight after a man suffering injuries and burns died Wednesday night. The blast has been the most powerful to hit the capital city so far this year. Last year, a series of explosions across Russia killed more than 300 people and injured many others. Authorities believe Chechen militants were behind these blasts. Law enforcement authorities have beefed up security across the country after Tuesday's blast. In Moscow, an anti-terrorist operation began Tuesday evening and all vehicles coming to Moscow are being thoroughly examined by reinforced traffic police at checkpoints. In downtown Moscow, traffic appeared to be much lighter than usual after the stepped-up security checks. Alexander Oboidikhin, a spokesman for the Municipal Interior Ministry, urged Muscovites to set up vigilante posts in apartment building stairwells and organize patrols on their buildings and yards. |
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