OREANDA-NEWS. July 26, 2010. The President heard reports from Head of the FSB Alexander Bortnikov and Minister of the Interior Rashid Nurgaliyev on the investigation into the attack on the Baksan Hydroelectric Power Plant and a report by Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin on his trip to Kabardino-Balkaria. Head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic Arsen Kanokov also took part in the meeting.

Dmitry Medvedev emphasised the need to determine the extent of responsibility held by RusHydro, which owns the power plant, as well as the law enforcement agencies that were in charge of the plant’s security. Mr Medvedev stated that serious staff changes may need to be made based on the investigation results.

The President gave instructions to improve security of the nation’s vital economic facilities, first and foremost in the Caucasus region. In particular, he gave Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin one month to develop a new control system to ensure the safety of technical facilities in the Caucasus.

Also, Head of Kabardino-Balkaria Arsen Kanokov was instructed to improve his work with the public and the elders.

The Baksan hydroelectric power plant was attacked early Wednesday morning by several gunmen, who killed security guards and set explosive devices in the main generator hall. The explosions damaged the plant’s generators and other technical equipment. The plant has ceased operations and electric energy is being channelled to consumers from other substations.