IAEA: Drone Strike Severely Damaged Chernobyl Shelter, Confinement Capability Lost

IAEA Warns Chernobyl's New Safe Confinement Is No Longer Fully Containing Radioactive Material

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the New Safe Confinement (NSC) at the Chernobyl nuclear site was "severely damaged" by a drone strike on February 14 and has "lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability." The agency reported the impact punctured the shelter’s protective cladding and sparked a fire, compromising the NSC’s ability to fully confine radioactive materials.

Ukraine has accused Russian forces of carrying out the strike; the Kremlin denies responsibility. The IAEA — which maintains a permanent presence at the site — said the strike damaged exterior elements of the NSC but that limited, temporary repairs have since been made to the roof.

"Timely and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety," IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said, while noting the assessment found no permanent damage to the NSC’s load-bearing structures or its monitoring systems.

The IAEA recommended a major renovation of the massive arch-shaped shelter to restore its full safety functions and prevent further deterioration. Agency teams will continue to monitor the site and support efforts to restore nuclear safety and security.

What the NSC Is

The NSC is a colossal, arch-shaped steel structure built to cover the wrecked Reactor No. 4 and contain its radioactive remains. Constructed between 2010 and 2019, the shelter was designed to last 100 years and is described as the world’s largest movable land structure. The project cost approximately €2.1 billion and was funded by contributions from more than 45 donor countries and organizations through the Chernobyl Shelter Fund.

Historical Context And Ongoing Concerns

Chernobyl remains the site of the world’s worst civilian nuclear accident. On April 26, 1986, an explosion at Reactor No. 4 released widespread radioactive contamination across Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and other regions. More than 30 people died in the nearby city of Pripyat, and many others suffered radiation-related health effects; cancer and birth defect rates among exposed populations remain elevated, according to the IAEA and the World Health Organization.

The site again drew international concern during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when Russian forces seized the plant and surrounding area in the opening days of the war before withdrawing control back to Ukrainian personnel just over a month later.

Why This Matters: With the NSC’s confinement capability compromised, there is an increased risk of environmental and worker safety impacts if the shelter continues to degrade. The IAEA’s call for full renovation underscores the urgency of restoring robust containment and long-term monitoring at Chernobyl.