IAEA flags damage to Chornobyl nuclear plant’s protective shield in Ukraine

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by By News AgenciesDecember 6, 2025 at 08:37 AM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

In December 2025, the IAEA reported that a drone strike in February damaged the protective shield at the Chornobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine. The strike, which Ukraine attributes to Russia, has compromised the shield's ability to contain radioactive material. The IAEA inspection confirmed the loss of the shield's primary safety functions, including confinement, but found no permanent damage to load-bearing structures or monitoring systems. While repairs have been initiated, the IAEA emphasizes the need for comprehensive restoration to ensure long-term nuclear safety. Throughout the ongoing conflict, both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of actions risking nuclear safety at Chornobyl and Zaporizhzhia.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Rafael Grossi 50% Ukraine ×680% Russia ×480% Chornobyl nuclear plant ×4100% International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ×5100%

Keywords

chornobyl nuclear plant 100% drone strike 90% protective shield 80% iaea 70% nuclear safety 60% russia-ukraine war 50% radioactive material 50% nuclear disaster 40%