The protective structure built to contain radioactive material from the 1986 Chernobyl disaster has lost its key safety functions following a suspected Russian drone strike earlier this year, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The drone hit the Chernobyl site in northern Ukraine in February, igniting a fire in the outer cladding of the New Safe Confinement (NSC), the massive steel arch designed to seal off the remains of Reactor No. 4. The incident immediately raised fears of a potential radioactive leak affecting Ukraine and parts of Europe.

In a new assessment, the IAEA confirmed that the strike caused structural degradation, reducing the shelter’s ability to confine radioactive materials. While the agency reported no permanent damage to the load-bearing structures or monitoring systems, it warned that the NSC has “lost its primary safety functions.”

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said that only limited temporary repairs have been completed to stabilize the roof. “Timely and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety,” he added.

The agency emphasized the need for additional restoration measures, including improved humidity control, updated corrosion monitoring systems, and an upgrade to the automated structural monitoring network installed after the 1986 accident.

According to the IAEA, temporary reinforcement work is scheduled for 2026 to ensure the continued confinement of radioactive material. Plans for a full restoration of the NSC will not be implemented until after the Russia-Ukraine war ends.

An IAEA team stationed permanently at the site continues to support Ukrainian authorities in evaluating nuclear safety risks. On Monday, the agency began a 12-day mission to inspect more than ten electrical substations that are critical to maintaining safety systems at nuclear facilities across the country. Many of these substations have been damaged in recent Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Grossi stressed the importance of these substations, noting that they are indispensable for providing power to cooling systems and other essential safety mechanisms at nuclear power plants, as well as distributing electricity to homes and industries.

The IAEA has repeatedly warned of the fragility of Ukraine’s electrical grid under wartime conditions, citing ongoing degradation and growing challenges in maintaining stable power supplies for nuclear facilities. (ILKHA)