Alarming news is coming from Ukraine’s Chernobyl nuclear power plant. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the massive protective shield built over the ruined 1986 reactor has lost its primary safety functions after a February drone strike.
Ukraine says Russia targeted the site, a claim Moscow denies. IAEA inspectors who examined the structure found that the strike damaged parts of the steel cover, meaning it can no longer fully contain the old reactor. However, they noted that the load-bearing structures and monitoring systems remain intact.
The shield — completed in 2019 at a cost of €1.5 billion — was built to cover the original sarcophagus and keep the remaining nuclear fuel contained. While some repairs have already been made, the IAEA says major restoration is still essential to prevent further deterioration.
Environmental experts stress there is no immediate cause for panic, but the structure must be fixed to ensure long-term safety.