IAEA strengthens mission at Chornobyl NPP – experts study consequences of drone strike
28 November 2025 02:34
This week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sent additional specialists to the Chornobyl nuclear power plant to analyze in detail the condition of the New Safe Confinement (NSC), which was damaged by a drone strike in February 2025.
This was stated by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
What the IAEA mission does
Staff from the IAEA’s Department of Nuclear Safety and Security have joined the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Chornobyl, which has been permanently present at the site since January 2023.
Their main task is to
- assess the technical condition of the NSC and its operational functions after the attack;
- analyze the temporary security measures implemented;
- discuss with the Ukrainian side a plan to restore the damaged elements of the shelter;
- identify potential risks to nuclear and radiation safety.
The NSC, completed in 2016, covers the old Shelter built over the destroyed Unit 4 in 1986.
Although the February drone strike did not cause any releases of radioactive materials, it damaged the structures, which affected the projected service life of the structure.
Russian strike on the ChNPP sarcophagus
On February 14, a Russian attack drone with an explosive warhead hit the shelter that protects the world from the radiation of the destroyed 4th power unit of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
on February 16, representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency inspected the Chernobyl nuclear power plant’s shelter. During the inspection, the IAEA team noted that the outer and inner shells of the arch had been damaged by a drone attack. A hole with a diameter of about 6 meters was formed there, and some equipment and electrical cables were also damaged. However, the support beams were not significantly damaged.
It is expected that repairs to the shelter will begin when the fire is completely out.
Read us on Telegram: important topics – without censorship
What is known about the Chornobyl sarcophagus
As a reminder, the sarcophagus built over the exploded fourth power unit was gradually collapsing, and this could have led to a catastrophe. In March 2004, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development announced a tender for the design, construction and commissioning of a new sarcophagus for the Chornobyl NPP.
The main function of the new arch is to limit the spread of radioactive substances contained in the Shelter. This condition must be met both in normal operation and in the event of an accident (destruction) of the existing Shelter. The project envisages that the new structure will be operated for 100 years.
The new sarcophagus at the Chornobyl NPP was built by about 3,000 workers starting in April 2012. The builders worked in shifts to avoid exceeding the permissible radiation dose. Almost three billion dollars were allocated for its construction by the European Union and the United States. The new sarcophagus was commissioned in July 2019.
