International Atomic Energy Agency (International Atomic Energy Agency) He warned that repeated Russian drone attacks, especially those carried out on February 2 of this year, caused serious damage to the outer shell of the Chernobyl reactor, the nuclear plant that suffered an accident and a serious leak in 1986 during a safety test.
Since then, Chernobyl has had a sarcophagus to avoid another radiation disaster. In 2016, a new safety cover was installed. But it has deteriorated due to Russian bombing, affecting “key security functions, including confinement capacity.”
This warning coincided with a new wave of Russian attacks against energy and railway facilities in Ukraine, leaving thousands of people without heat or water. According to Ukrainian authorities, during Saturday night alone, Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles at different parts of the country.
For its part, Moscow distanced itself from what happened, and instead pointed to “provocation” by the Ukrainian authorities.
the International Atomic Energy Agency In detail that New safe coverinstalled in 2016 for Prevent radiation leakage from the reactor 4 suffer “Severe damage.” A technical team confirmed on Friday that the exterior cladding of the solid steel structure had suffered a fire, and as a result, the “Ark”, as it is colloquially known, had lost “essential safety functions, including containment capacity”, despite causing no permanent damage to either its support structures or its monitoring systems.
As a result of this attack, Zaporizhia plant -other Among the ten largest nuclear power plants in the world – remained For more than a week, it has been cut off from the electrical network.
Neither Chernobyl nor Zaporozhye are operational, but both need a steady supply of power to maintain the cooling systems that stabilize spent fuel rods and prevent nuclear accidents. “Limited temporary interventions have been carried out on the surface, but full and timely restoration remains essential to prevent further deterioration and ensure nuclear safety in the long term,” explained IAEA Director Rafael Mariano Grossi.
In this context, the agency confirmed that the structure of the nuclear containment center needs “quick and complete” restoration and protection work to prevent leaks and moisture, protect ventilation systems, monitor corrosion, and ensure radiation confinement.
Grossi announced that in 2026Thanks for the support European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)The Chernobyl blockade will begin Additional temporary fixes To support Recreate the confinement functionThis paves the way for full restoration once the conflict ends.
This warning once again puts Chernobyl at the center of international attention, in a context where… The war continues to affect critical infrastructure throughout Ukrainian territory.
In October, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned: “Every day of Russia’s war, every attack on our energy facilities, including those related to nuclear security, poses a global threat.”
Thus, the president responded to the attack in more than one way 20 witness drones against Slavutić infrastructurethe city that supplies power to Chernobyl, which caused a disaster Power outage from the nuclear complex. “Weak measures and half will not work. Strong measures are needed.”He mentioned. He added that Russian drones ‘They couldn’t ignore’ The risks involved in attacking that area.
At the same time on Saturday night Ukraine He was white From one of Air attacks The most comprehensive in recent months. According to Kyiv regional power, Russia Issued a total 653 drones and 51 missiles against Energy and railway targetscausing Heating and water outages.
Volodymyr Zelensky said: “Russia’s goal is to inflict suffering on millions of Ukrainians.”
One of the most significant attacks hit the railway station in the city of Fastev, about 70 kilometers from Kiev, where a drone set fire to the main building. Although there were no casualties, state operator Ukrzaliznytsya confirmed the disruption of suburban train service.
The attack affected energy facilities in the Chernigov, Zaporizhia, Lviv and Dnipro regions. Emergency crews worked throughout the early morning to contain the fires and assess the damage.
In the area Odessa, Minister of Restoration Oleksiy KulebaI mentioned that It left 9,500 users without heat and 34,000 without water supply Due to impacts on the local network.
*ANSA, Agence France-Presse, Associated Press, DPA, and European news agencies