A safety assessment carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a body linked to the United Nations (UN), has confirmed that the protective shield of the Chernobyl plant in Ukraine has lost its “primary safety functions”.
The site came under attack during the war between Russia and Ukraine.
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The nuclear disaster occurred in 1986 and displaced 200,000 people.
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Chernobyl nuclear power plant
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The New Safe Containment (NSC), a large structure designed to prevent radioactive leaks from the reactor destroyed in the 1986 accident, was severely damaged by a drone attack in February this year.
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The military incident caused a significant fire in the outer shell of the steel structure. The agency’s technical mission found that although there was no permanent damage to the supporting structures and surveillance systems, the shield’s containment capacity was compromised.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi warned of the need for urgent interventions. “Limited temporary repairs have been made to the roof, but complete and rapid restoration remains essential to prevent further damage and ensure long-term nuclear safety,” Grossi said.
Repairs and follow-up
Based on the technical team’s findings, the IAEA recommended carrying out additional restoration work, including humidity control measures and upgrading the structure’s automatic monitoring system.
It is planned that in 2026, with the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Chernobyl complex will undergo further temporary repairs. The objective is to support the re-establishment of the containment function until full recovery is possible following the end of the conflict.
In addition to the situation at Chernobyl, the IAEA said a team was traveling across Ukraine this month, between December 1 and 12, to assess the condition of more than ten electrical substations. These facilities are considered essential to nuclear safety, as they provide the energy necessary to cool the reactors operating in the country.
According to Grossi, the substations have been the target of recent military attacks and face continued degradation, posing a growing challenge to the transportation infrastructure and security of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants.
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