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A containment structure encasing the Chornobyl reactor core within Ukraine has lost its primary safety function of containing radioactive material, according to the IAEA. This loss of function comes after a drone attack earlier this year that blew a hole in the structure.

Structural Compromise from Aerial Attack Degrades Containment Structure

A drone strike in the second month of the year caused a breach in the so-called “New Safe Confinement” arch. This massive shield, constructed for €1.5bn with work finishing in 2019, was designed to contain radiation over the long term. A recent IAEA inspection last week found that the strike had degraded the integrity of the steel confinement.

The [protective structure] had lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability, said IAEA head Rafael Grossi. He added that the mission confirmed no lasting harm to its load-bearing structures or sensor systems.

Historical Context of the Chornobyl Containment

The initial 1986 explosion at the Chernobyl plant – at a time when Ukraine was a republic within the USSR – spewed radioactive fallout over much of Europe. In a hurried response, Soviet engineers constructed a concrete “sarcophagus” over the damaged reactor, though it possessed only a three-decade design life. The new confinement was constructed to allow for the eventual decommissioning of the original structure, the damaged reactor building, and the molten fuel itself.

Current Situation and Required Steps

Although limited repairs have been carried out, the IAEA stressed that a full-scale repair effort is essential. This is needed to prevent further degradation and to guarantee long-term nuclear safety. Ukrainian authorities previously reported that a unmanned aircraft armed with a high-explosive warhead hit the facility, igniting a blaze and compromising the outer shielding.

• Radiation Readings: Reports indicated background radiation remained within safe limits following the attack with no indication of any leakage.
• Geopolitical Context: Moscow's troops seized the Chornobyl site for more than 30 days during the initial phase of the 2022 invasion.
• Wider Assessment: The agency conducted this inspection alongside a country-wide assessment of conflict-related damage to the country's power substations.

These developments underscore the persistent risks at one of the world's most notorious nuclear disaster sites during continued hostilities.