Chernobyl Shield Compromised by Drone Attack
The protective structure at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been rendered ineffective due to a drone strike, according to a report from the United Nations nuclear agency released on Friday.
The so-called New Safe Confinement (NSC) suffered “significant damage” during a drone attack on February 14, as stated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Ukraine holds Russia responsible for the attack, a claim that Russia has denied.
The IAEA noted that “the NSC has lost key safety features, including its containment capabilities.”
This massive arch-shaped structure was constructed in 2019 at a cost of approximately $2.3 billion over the No. 4 reactor, intended to prevent radioactive materials from being dispersed by wind, snow, or rain.
Weighing in at 36,000 tons, the NSC stands 345 feet high and extends 540 feet in length, with a total length of 840 feet. It has been recognized as one of the 50 most influential projects over the past half-century, according to the Project Management Institute. Designed for a lifespan of 100 years, it was funded by the Chernobyl Refuge Fund.
The drone attack also sparked a large fire that damaged the outer layer of a steel structure meant to contain the reactor’s radioactive remnants.
An IAEA inspection indicated that while the shield’s load-bearing structure and monitoring system were intact, it remains uncertain how serious the damage is regarding potential threats to the surrounding environment or even the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, which is about 80 miles away. Thankfully, no immediate dangers seem to be arising.
Chernobyl is notoriously known as the site of the worst nuclear disaster in history. The catastrophic event unfolded on April 26, 1986, when a reactor meltdown occurred in what was then the Soviet Union. A combination of flawed design and untrained personnel led to a steam explosion and fire, which released at least 5% of the reactor’s radioactive core into the environment.
Two plant workers died instantly after the explosion, and over the next few weeks, 28 more succumbed, while more than 350,000 people were evacuated from the area.
Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized the urgency of repair work, stating, “Although limited emergency repairs have been carried out to the roof, timely and comprehensive repairs remain essential to prevent further deterioration and ensure long-term nuclear safety.”
The IAEA has put forward several recommendations for structural improvements, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has pledged to finance renovations aimed at restoring the containment function.
Grossi added that the IAEA, with a team on site, is dedicated to supporting efforts to fully restore nuclear safety and security at Chernobyl.
Russian forces had taken control of the nuclear power plant early in the conflict with Ukraine in February 2022, but returned it to Ukraine a month later.
