image source, Getty Images
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- Author, Dearbail Jordan
- Author title, BBCNews
The protective shield covering the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in Ukraine can no longer fulfill its main containment function after a drone attack earlier this year, the UN nuclear regulator said.
Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found that the massive structure built on the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster had lost “its primary safety functions, including isolation capabilities.”
In February, Ukraine accused Russia of attacking the nuclear power plant, a claim the Kremlin denied.
The IAEA said repairs were “essential” to “prevent further deterioration” of the fallout shelter. However, environmental expert Jim Smith told the BBC that “we shouldn’t panic about this”.
Professor Smith from the University of Portsmouth, UK, who has studied the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, said the biggest danger associated with the site was radioactive dust.
However, he added that “the risk is low” because the contaminated dust was contained in a thick concrete “sarcophagus” covered by a protective shield.
image source, Getty Images
The Chernobyl explosion in 1986 spewed radioactive material into the air and sparked a health emergency across Europe.
In response, the former Soviet Union built the sarcophagus over the nuclear reactor.
The sarcophagus only had a lifespan of 30 years, requiring a protective cover to prevent leakage of radioactive material for the next 100 years.
The IAEA said a team completed a security assessment of the site last week after it was badly damaged by the drone strike.
The attack caused a fire in the external cladding of the steel structure.
Inspectors said there was no permanent damage to the supporting structures or deck monitoring systems and that some repairs were made to the roof.
However, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said: “Timely and comprehensive recovery remains essential to prevent further deterioration and ensure long-term nuclear safety.”
Since early December, the UN nuclear regulator has been examining Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as the country continues to defend itself against Russia.
Russia launched airstrikes overnight on the city of Kremenchuk, a major industrial center in central Ukraine.
In addition to the Chernobyl assessment, the IAEA has inspected substations related to nuclear safety.
“They are essential for the power that all nuclear power plants need for reactor cooling and other safety systems,” Grossi explained.
“They are also necessary to distribute the electricity they generate to households and industry,” he added.
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