Chernobyl Shield Loses Radiation Protection After Drone Strike

The protective shield covering the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant has “lost safety function” due to a drone strike, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This multilayered confinement building, completed in 2019 at a cost of €1.5 billion, was designed to contain radiation from the melted-down nuclear fuel. Ukrainian prosecutors reported that a drone attack on the structure in February 2023 punctured the shield, leading to significant concerns about radiation safety.

During a recent inspection, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that the drone impact had degraded the steel structure of the protective shield. Grossi confirmed that the inspection revealed the structure had lost its primary safety functions, including its confinement capability. Despite these findings, he noted that there was no permanent damage to the load-bearing structures or monitoring systems.

While some repairs have been made, Grossi emphasized that “comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety.” The drone, reportedly carrying a high-explosive warhead, caused a fire and damaged protective cladding around the reactor. The government in Kyiv has attributed the attack to Russian forces, which Moscow denies.

Radiation levels in the area are currently reported as normal, with no indications of radiation leaks, as confirmed by the United Nations in February. The Chernobyl disaster in 1986 released massive amounts of radiation across Europe, leading to the construction of a concrete sarcophagus over the reactor with a 30-year lifespan. The new confinement structure, which reaches over 100 meters at its peak, was intended to contain the remnants of the nuclear fuel beneath the original sarcophagus.

Concerns About Nuclear Safety in Ukraine

Ongoing military activity in Ukraine has raised alarms about safety at nuclear facilities, particularly at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe. This facility has been reliant on diesel backup generators since September 23, when its last remaining external power line was severed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of critical safety risks in October, stating that the backup systems were not designed for prolonged use.

“The generators and the plant were not designed for this,” Zelenskyy remarked, highlighting the precarious situation. The Zaporizhzhia plant, which has been under Russian control since the early days of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, still requires stable power to cool its six shutdown reactors and manage spent fuel to prevent catastrophic incidents.

Grossi pointed out that while emergency diesel generators serve as a “last line of defence” for cooling reactors, their continued use has become alarmingly common. He stated, “As long as this devastating conflict goes on, nuclear safety and security remains under severe threat.”

Despite some positive developments in the region, Grossi cautioned that the situation is far from stable. He reiterated the importance of ongoing vigilance and restoration efforts to maintain nuclear safety in Ukraine, as the conflict continues to present significant risks to these critical facilities.