In Ukraine, the Chernobyl Ark “lost its main security functions” after a drone attack in February, confirms the IAEA

Chernobyl’s Protective Dome Compromised Following February Drone Attack, IAEA Confirms

VIENNA – The protective structure over the remains of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor has “lost its main security functions” following a drone attack in february, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed Friday, December 5. The attack,attributed to russia,caused meaningful damage to the exterior cladding of the “Ark,” raising concerns about the long-term safety of the site.

The New Safe confinement (NSC), commonly known as the Ark, was built to contain the radioactive remains of reactor number four, which exploded in 1986. While IAEA experts determined the supporting structure and monitoring systems weren’t permanently damaged, the compromised exterior cladding necessitates urgent repairs to prevent further degradation and maintain nuclear safety. “Limited temporary repairs have been carried out to the roof, but a complete and rapid restoration remains essential,” stated IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

Russian forces seized the decommissioned Chernobyl plant at the outset of their invasion in February 2022, holding it for a month. The incident underscores the ongoing risks to nuclear facilities in Ukraine, where both sides have accused each other of targeting such sites, prompting repeated warnings from the IAEA. The Zaporizhzia nuclear power plant,Europe’s largest,remains under Russian control,further heightening anxieties about nuclear safety during the conflict.