Bombed Chornobyl shelter no longer blocks radiation and needs major repair – IAEA

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 2 min read 100% complete by Guardian staff and agenciesDecember 6, 2025 at 06:52 AM

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The IAEA announced that the protective shield over the Chornobyl nuclear reactor in Ukraine, known as the "new safe confinement," has been damaged by a drone strike in February and can no longer fully block radiation. The €1.5 billion structure, completed in 2019 to contain radiation during the removal of the original sarcophagus and reactor debris, sustained damage that degraded its confinement capability. While load-bearing structures and monitoring systems were not permanently damaged, comprehensive repairs are essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety. The UN reported in February that radiation levels remained stable after the incident, which Ukrainian authorities attributed to a Russian drone, though Moscow denied responsibility. The IAEA conducted the inspection during a broader survey of damage across the country.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Moscow 50% Soviet Union 60% Ukraine ×370% International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ×280% Chornobyl ×6100%

Keywords

chornobyl 100% radiation 90% nuclear safety 80% iaea 70% drone strike 70% protective shield 70% new safe confinement 60% reactor 60% ukraine 50% repair 40%