In connection with the terrorist attacks on the Baksan hydroelectric power plant, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin chaired a meeting attended by representatives of RusHydro, Inter RAO UES, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief, law enforcement agencies, security services and the government of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. The meeting was convened in accordance with a directive issued by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Officials at the meeting discussed the current situation at the hydroelectric dam, measures to stabilise the situation, the condition of the dam's hydroelectric generating units and the overall amount of damage.

Deputy Prime Minister Sechin instructed energy companies and relevant government agencies to ensure that the operation of power generating facilities and hydraulic structures in the North Caucasus continues uninterrupted, and said that all power generating facilities must be placed under special protection in the wake of the attacks. "An order has been issued putting all power generating facilities on high alert in order to prevent terrorist attacks on such facilities. Instructions were also issued to increase security measures," said the deputy prime minister.

Mr Sechin also said that the plant's personnel injured during the terrorist attack had been sent to hospital and were receiving treatment. Officials also discussed the need to provide assistance to the injured personnel and the families of those killed in the attack.

The deputy prime minister added that the Federal Security Service and the Prosecutor's Office had begun their investigation into the terrorist attack, and that bomb disposal teams were already working on the scene. Energy experts at the meeting stated that the attack on the Baksan hydroelectric power plant would not disrupt the power supply in Kabardino-Balkaria.

Following the discussion at the meeting it was decided to send a group of experts led by the head of the emergency response centre to Kabardino-Balkaria on July 22. The expert group will include representatives of all concerned ministries, agencies and energy companies.