Chernobyl radiation shield ‘lost its safety function’ after drone strike, UN watchdog says
A protective shield covering Ukraine’s Chernobyl nuclear reactor can no longer perform its main containment function following a drone strike earlier this year, according to a UN watchdog.
Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found that this massive structure, built on the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster, had lost its “primary safety functions, including containment capacity”.
In February, Ukraine accused Russia of targeting the power plant – a claim denied by the Kremlin.
The IAEA said the repairs were “essential” to “prevent further degradation” of the nuclear shelter. However, environmental expert Jim Smith told the BBC: “There is no need to panic.”
Professor Smith of the University of Portsmouth in the UK, who studied the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, said the biggest danger from the site was the presence of radioactive dust.
But he added that “the risk is low” because the contaminated dust is contained in a thick concrete “sarcophagus” covered by a protective shield.
The Chernobyl explosion in 1986 released radioactive materials into the air, triggering a public health emergency across Europe.
In response, the former Soviet Union built a sarcophagus on top of the nuclear reactor.
The sarcophagus only had a lifespan of 30 years, hence the need for a protective shell to prevent leakage of radioactive material over the next 100 years.
The IAEA said a team completed a security assessment of the site last week after it was “severely damaged” by the drone attack. The attack caused a fire in the exterior cladding of the steel structure.
Inspectors said there was no permanent damage to the shell’s supporting structures or monitoring systems and that some repairs had been made to the roof.
But IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said: “Rapid and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear security. »
Since early December, the UN nuclear watchdog has been assessing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as the country continues to defend itself against Russia.
Overnight, Russia launched airstrikes on the city of Kremenchuk, a major industrial hub in central Ukraine.
In addition to assessing Chernobyl, the IAEA inspected electrical substations related to nuclear safety and security.
Mr Grossi said: “They are absolutely essential for providing the electricity that all nuclear power plants need for reactor cooling and other safety systems.
“They are also needed to distribute the electricity they produce to households and industry.”
