Chernobyl’s Protective Shield Damaged, No Longer Fully Containing Radiation

The International Atomic Energy Agency says the massive steel structure protecting the Chernobyl nuclear site in Ukraine can no longer fully contain radiation, following a drone strike earlier this year.

The New Safe Confinement shield, installed to cover the reactor that exploded in 1986, was hit during a February 14 attack that sparked a fire and damaged its protective cladding. Ukraine has accused Russia of carrying out the strike, a claim the Kremlin denies.

According to the IAEA, the structure has lost its primary safety functions and now requires urgent large-scale restoration to prevent further deterioration. Limited temporary repairs have been completed, but officials warn that long-term nuclear safety depends on comprehensive reconstruction.

While the structure’s foundation and monitoring systems remain intact, inspectors report that its ability to confine radioactive materials has been compromised. The watchdog says its permanent staff at the site will continue supporting safety efforts.

The strike underscores ongoing risks at the Chernobyl site amid Russia’s near four-year war in Ukraine. Russian troops briefly seized the plant during their initial invasion in 2022 before withdrawing a month later.

Built between 2010 and 2019 and designed to last a century, the New Safe Confinement shield is the world’s largest movable land structure. It was funded by more than 45 donor nations at a cost of €2.1 billion to help secure the area surrounding Reactor No. 4, where the world’s worst nuclear plant accident spread radiation across multiple countries.

More than 30 people died in the immediate aftermath of the 1986 disaster, and long-term health impacts — including elevated cancer rates — continue to affect those exposed to radiation.

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