IAEA: Chornobyl Protective Structure No Longer Able to Contain Radiation After Drone Strike

Reuters

Rescuers work on the ‘new safe confinement’ covering the remains of the destroyed reactor at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant site in February.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that the protective shield covering the destroyed nuclear reactor at the Chornobyl disaster site can no longer fully perform its core function of containing radiation, following damage sustained in a drone attack earlier this year.

The “new safe confinement” structure — a €1.5 billion (£1.3 billion) project completed in 2019 and built under a Europe-led initiative — was struck by a drone in February, creating a hole in the vast steel arch. The structure had been designed to securely cover the original Soviet-era concrete “sarcophagus”, hastily constructed after the catastrophic 1986 reactor explosion and with a lifespan of only 30 years.

Following an inspection last week, the IAEA reported that the drone strike had degraded the integrity of the confinement system.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the mission “confirmed that the protective structure had lost its primary safety functions, including its confinement capability”, though no permanent damage was found to its load-bearing elements or monitoring systems.

Grossi noted that some repairs had already been undertaken, but stressed that “comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety”.

According to a UN report from February, Ukrainian authorities said the drone — reportedly carrying a high-explosive warhead — struck the site, ignited a fire, and damaged the protective cladding around the reactor. Ukraine blamed Russia for the attack; Moscow denied responsibility. Radiation levels remained stable and there were no indications of leaks, the UN said at the time.

Russia occupied the Chornobyl site and surrounding exclusion zone for more than a month during the early stages of its February 2022 invasion, as its forces attempted to advance on Kyiv.

The IAEA’s inspection coincided with a broader assessment of war-related damage to Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure.

Sources: The Guardian, Reuters



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