Name: Ukraine: IAEA calls for repair work on Chernobyl sarcophagus
Uploaded: 2025-12-08T19:45:07.628Z
Duration: 1 min 31 s
Description: The UN nuclear watchdog has said that the protective structure surrounding the exploded reactor at Chernobyl can no longer perform its main function of blocking radiation, after a Russian drone strike earlier this year.

The UN nuclear watchdog has said that the protective structure surrounding the exploded reactor at Chernobyl can no longer perform its main function of blocking radiation, after a Russian drone strike earlier this year.

Pryp'yat'

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for urgent repair work on the Chernobyl nuclear plant's protective sarcophagus following a drone strike in February that left a hole in the radiation shield. According to the IAEA's recent assessment, the strike caused the new safe confinement (NSC) structure to lose its primary safety functions, including its ability to contain radioactive materials.

While the agency confirmed that the arch's load-bearing frame and monitoring systems were not permanently damaged, it emphasized that only limited temporary repairs have been made so far. The IAEA stressed that comprehensive restoration is essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety, warning that continued attacks on nuclear facilities pose significant risks.

Ukraine: IAEA calls for repair work on Chernobyl sarcophagus

This hole in Chernobyl's radiation shield was left by a drone strike in February. The massive arch is meant to cover the reactor that exploded in the world's worst nuclear disaster. Its metal structure protects an earlier sarcophagus already built by the Soviets to prevent the release of radioactive contaminants. Since the strike, which Ukraine blames on Russia, the International Atomic Energy Agency has warned of mounting safety concerns. Last week, the UN watchdog completed a full assessment. Its findings are stark. The mission confirmed that the new safe confinement, NSC, had lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability. The structure was put in place in 2016 and designed to last at least a century. It has been crucial in stabilising the site. The IAEA stresses that the strike did not cause permanent damage to the arch's load-bearing frame or its monitoring systems, but the agency says a major overhaul is now unavoidable. Limited temporary repairs have been carried out on the roof, but timely and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety. Since the start of the war, Ukraine and Russia have repeatedly accused each other of targeting nuclear facilities. The IAEA has warned that such attacks must stop, saying whoever is responsible is playing with fire.

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Ukraine: IAEA calls for repair work on Chernobyl sarcophagus

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