🔗 Share this article Chernobyl Catastrophe Shelter Can No Longer Effectively Blocks Radiation, Requires Major Restoration – IAEA The containment structure covering the Chornobyl nuclear reactor in Ukraine has lost its primary function of containing radioactive material, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This failure comes after a drone attack earlier this year that blew a hole in the protective shell. Structural Compromise from Drone Strike Compromises Safety System An attack by an unmanned aerial vehicle in the second month of the year severely damaged the so-called “New Safe Confinement” structure. This massive shield, built at a cost of €1.5bn with work finishing in 2019, was intended to contain radiation over the long term. An IAEA inspection last week found that the strike had weakened the structural integrity of the steel arch. The containment arch's main safety functions, such as confinement, are no longer operational, said IAEA director general Rafael Grossi. Grossi noted that inspectors found no lasting harm to its load-bearing structures or monitoring systems. Historical Context of the Chornobyl Containment The original 1986 disaster at the Chernobyl plant – which occurred when Ukraine was part of the USSR – released radioactive fallout over much of Europe. In a hurried containment effort, Soviet engineers built a concrete shelter over the damaged reactor, though it possessed only a three-decade design life. The new confinement was constructed to enable the eventual decommissioning of the old sarcophagus, the destroyed reactor hall, and the melted nuclear fuel itself. Current Situation and Required Actions While some repairs have been carried out, the IAEA stressed that comprehensive restoration is essential. This is needed to stop additional deterioration and to ensure safety for the coming decades. Officials in Ukraine previously reported that a drone carrying a high-explosive warhead hit the facility, igniting a blaze and damaging the protective cladding. Radiation Readings: Authorities confirmed radiation levels remained within safe limits after the incident with no reports of any leakage. Geopolitical Context: Moscow's troops seized the Chornobyl site for more than 30 days in the early stages of the 2022 invasion. Wider Assessment: The IAEA carried out this inspection concurrently with a nationwide survey of war damage to Ukraine's electricity infrastructure. These developments underscore the ongoing vulnerabilities at one of the the planet's most notorious atomic accident locations during ongoing hostilities.