A protective shield covering the remains of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor can no longer perform its main containment role following a drone strike earlier this year, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has said. The finding has raised renewed concerns about nuclear safety in Ukraine as the war with Russia continues.
Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concluded that the structure has lost its “primary safety functions including the confinement capability,” according to an assessment completed last week. The damage was linked to a drone strike in February that caused a fire in the outer cladding of the massive steel shell.
Ukraine accused Russia of targeting the Chernobyl site during the incident, an allegation strongly denied by the Kremlin. The area remains under Ukrainian control, but it lies close to frontlines and has been affected by military activity since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
The structure, formally known as the New Safe Confinement, was designed to encase the crumbling remains of Reactor 4, which exploded in April 1986. That disaster released vast amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere, triggering one of the world’s worst nuclear accidents and contaminating large parts of Europe.
In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, Soviet authorities rushed to build a concrete and steel sarcophagus to seal off the reactor. That original structure was never meant to last more than three decades, leading to the construction of the New Safe Confinement, which was slid into place in 2016.
Engineered to function for at least 100 years, the arched steel shell was intended to prevent radioactive material from escaping and to allow the eventual dismantling of the old sarcophagus. Its loss of full confinement capability represents a significant technical setback, according to nuclear safety experts.
The IAEA said repairs were “essential” to prevent further degradation of the structure. While inspectors found no permanent damage to load-bearing elements or monitoring systems, they warned that partial roof repairs carried out so far were not sufficient to guarantee long-term safety.
IAEA director general Rafael Grossi stressed the urgency of restoring the structure. “Timely and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety,” he said in a statement released after the inspection.
Despite the warning, experts sought to calm fears of an immediate radiation threat. Jim Smith, a professor of environmental science at the University of Portsmouth who has studied Chernobyl for decades, said the situation was “not something to panic about.”
“The biggest danger linked to the site is disturbing radioactive dust,” Prof Smith told the BBC. He explained that highly contaminated debris remains trapped inside the original concrete sarcophagus, which is itself enclosed by the newer steel structure.
Because of this layered protection, the risk of radioactive material being released into the wider environment remains low, he said, provided the site is not further damaged. Nonetheless, prolonged exposure to the elements or additional strikes could worsen the situation over time.
The assessment comes as the IAEA continues to monitor Ukraine’s broader energy infrastructure. Since early December, agency teams have been inspecting power substations and electrical systems linked to nuclear safety across the country.
These inspections are taking place against a backdrop of intensified Russian airstrikes. Overnight attacks recently hit the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk, a major industrial hub, highlighting the vulnerability of critical infrastructure during the conflict.
According to Mr Grossi, electrical substations are vital for ensuring safe operation at nuclear facilities. “They are absolutely indispensable for providing the electricity all nuclear power plants need for reactor cooling and other safety systems,” he said.
They also play a key role in distributing electricity produced by nuclear plants to households and industry, making them strategically important targets during wartime. Any disruption, the IAEA has warned, could pose serious safety risks if backup systems fail.
While Chernobyl itself is no longer an operating power plant, its symbolic and environmental significance remains immense. The damage to its protective shield underscores how the war is creating new risks around sites already burdened by historic nuclear legacies.
For now, international attention is focused on ensuring repairs can be carried out safely and without further incident. As fighting continues, the IAEA has repeatedly called on all sides to respect nuclear facilities and refrain from actions that could endanger long-term environmental and human safety.
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