Chernobyl’s Protective Dome No Longer Fully Functional After Drone Strike, IAEA Warns

Source: Update 331 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued an urgent warning about the structural integrity of the protective dome over the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, stating that the facility’s confinement system has lost its core safety functions following a recent drone strike.

According to the IAEA’s latest assessment, the impact ignited a major fire on the outer surface of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure — the steel arch built to seal the remains of Reactor No. 4 and prevent radioactive release. The damage, the Agency said, has compromised the dome’s ability to contain contamination and shield the site from external hazards.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed that inspections carried out by experts on-site “clearly indicated a loss of primary safety layers designed to suppress radiation escape.” While load-bearing elements and monitoring networks remain intact, Grossi stressed that restoring the full protective function of the NSC will require extensive reconstruction.

The sarcophagus — originally installed after the 1986 disaster and later enveloped by the NSC — was a multinational engineering effort financed with €2.2 billion. In February, UN officials confirmed that a drone carrying a high-explosive warhead had struck the site, sparking the fire that ultimately altered the design limits of the protective system. Ukraine has accused Russia of orchestrating the attack, while Moscow has categorically denied involvement. Radiation levels at the time remained stable.

According to the IAEA, 2026 will mark the start of additional interim repairs supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), aimed at partially restoring the containment capabilities until a full reconstruction becomes feasible after the conflict.

Grossi emphasized that the Agency’s permanent mission at Chernobyl “will continue to provide all necessary assistance to ensure nuclear safety and security on-site.”

As part of its broader support programme, the IAEA recently coordinated three new shipments of protective gear, medical supplies, and technical equipment to Ukrainian nuclear facilities. These deliveries — funded by the European Union and the United Kingdom — bring the total number of shipments since the start of the war to 188, valued at over €21 million.

The Agency stressed that ensuring the long-term stability of the Chernobyl site remains a matter of international nuclear security, requiring sustained global attention and continued technical assistance.