The UN’s nuclear watchdog has raised serious concerns about new damage at the Chornobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found that a drone strike in February weakened the massive steel shelter that protects the remains of Reactor Four. Ukraine says a Russian drone caused the impact, but Moscow denies any involvement.
The inspection team visited the site last week and examined the New Safe Confinement structure, completed in 2019 to contain radioactive material from the 1986 disaster. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the strike compromised key safety functions, including the shield’s ability to confine radiation. He noted that engineers carried out initial repairs, but the structure still needs full restoration to prevent long-term risks.
Ukrainian officials earlier reported that the drone carried a high-explosive warhead, triggered a fire and damaged parts of the external cladding. Radiation levels stayed stable after the incident, and authorities reported no leaks.
Chornobyl became a symbol of nuclear catastrophe after the 1986 explosion sent radioactive clouds across Europe. Russia occupied the exclusion zone briefly in 2022 during its attempt to capture Kyiv. The IAEA’s latest findings came as it reviewed war damage to power infrastructure across Ukraine.
