Fears over the safety of the Chernobyl exclusion zone have been reawakened as confirmation came of new structural damage at the site. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the New Safe Confinement structure, the giant steel shield constructed to contain radioactive waste, is no longer able to play its complete protective function.
The update marks a worrying development for one of the world’s most sensitive nuclear zones, nearly four decades after the disaster.
Damage to the New Safe Confinement Shield
Strikes in February caused serious damage to the structure, the IAEA said. The outer cladding was scorched, and portions of the protective covering were compromised, undermining the NSC’s key confinement functions.
That steel arch was built in 2016, a shield to contain contaminated material from Reactor 4 and ensure long-term stability. Temporary repairs are in place, but experts say it cannot rely on patchwork for a long time.
Conflicting Claims of Responsibility
Ukraine blames the attack on February 14 on Russian forces; Moscow denies involvement. The strike hit the power plant, triggered a blaze, and ripped into parts of the shielding. Tensions between the two sides have thus increased.
This incident joins a long list of nuclear security concerns raised since the start of the conflict with Chernobyl often emerging as a flashpoint in the broader geopolitical struggle.
IAEA Response & Restoration Needs
The head of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, emphasized that, although the shield was damaged, the basic monitoring systems and supporting structures were still intact.
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According to the agency, a comprehensive plan for restoration is necessary to prevent further deterioration. Its team, constantly present at the site, supports Ukrainian authorities in assessing risks and developing strategies for long-term repairs to keep radioactive material isolated.
Legacy of the conflict at Chernobyl end
Since Russian troops seized it briefly in 2022, detaining staff and disrupting operations, Chernobyl has been in the war’s shadow. Control of the site returned to Ukraine within days, but the region remains vulnerable.
The newest structural damage refocuses world attention on how to protect nuclear sites during wartime and how tenuous a safety net is still wrapped around Chernobyl.
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Disclaimer: Information is based on available reports and official statements. Details may evolve as authorities release further updates.
