Chernobyl Shield Loses Radiation Protection After Drone Attack

The protective shield covering the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine has reportedly lost its ability to block radiation following a drone strike in February. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the multilayered confinement building, completed in 2019 at a cost of €1.5 billion, suffered damage from a Russian Shahed drone. This incident has raised concerns regarding safety at the site of one of the world’s most infamous nuclear disasters.

During a recent inspection, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed that the drone impact had degraded the steel structure of the protective shield. He stated, “The inspection confirmed that the protective structure had lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability.” While there was no permanent damage to the load-bearing structures or monitoring systems, Grossi emphasized the need for comprehensive restoration to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety.

The drone strike, which Ukrainian prosecutors say involved a high-explosive warhead, ignited a fire and damaged protective cladding around the reactor. In response, authorities in Kyiv reported that radiation levels remain normal and that there are currently no reports of radiation leaks, as stated by the UN in February.

Concerns About Nuclear Safety in Ukraine

The Chernobyl plant has a long and troubled history. Following the catastrophic explosion in 1986, a concrete sarcophagus was constructed over the reactor, which was initially designed to last for 30 years. The new multilayered confinement building, standing at over 100 metres at its peak, was intended to contain the melted-down nuclear fuel that still resides beneath the original structure.

Fears over nuclear safety have intensified amid ongoing fighting around Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, particularly the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is the largest in Europe. Since September 23, 2023, the facility has been relying on diesel backup generators after its last external power line was severed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concerns about the safety risks at Zaporizhzhia, noting that the generators were not designed for extended operation.

“The generators and the plant were not designed for this,” Zelenskyy stated, describing the situation as “critical.” The Zaporizhzhia plant remains under Russian occupation since the beginning of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, and it is not operational. Nonetheless, it requires a stable power supply to cool its six shutdown reactors and manage spent fuel to prevent a potential nuclear incident.

Grossi underscored the precarious nature of nuclear safety in Ukraine, stating that emergency diesel generators are meant to be the “last line of defence” for cooling reactors. Their ongoing use amid the conflict highlights the severe threats to nuclear safety and security in the region. He remarked, “As long as this devastating conflict goes on, nuclear safety and security remains under severe threat.”

Despite the challenges, Grossi noted that there had been some positive developments but cautioned that the situation remains precarious. The IAEA continues to monitor the situation closely, stressing the importance of addressing the vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s nuclear infrastructure to avoid any catastrophic outcomes.