Chornobyl sarcophagus lost its main functions after Russian attack – IAEA
Photo: Russia hit the Chornobyl nuclear power plant sarcophagus (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The new sarcophagus of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant is no longer performing its core functions after being damaged by a Russian drone, according to the press service of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The IAEA recalled that last week the agency's mission completed a comprehensive assessment of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) — the Chornobyl sarcophagus — after it was struck by a Russian drone in February this year.
The sarcophagus is a massive steel structure built to prevent the release of radioactive materials from the reactor destroyed in the 1986 disaster. According to the assessment, the IAEA mission found that:
• The sarcophagus "had lost its primary safety functions," including its ability to contain radiation;
• The load-bearing structures and monitoring systems did not sustain permanent damage.
"Limited temporary repairs have been carried out on the roof, but timely and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stressed.
The IAEA recommended continuing the restoration and reinforcement of the sarcophagus protective structures: implementing humidity control, updating the corrosion-monitoring program, and modernizing the automatic monitoring system for the shelter built over the reactor after the accident.
Strike on the Chornobyl sarcophagus
On February 14, Russian forces struck the sarcophagus of the destroyed fourth reactor of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant with a drone.
As a result of the attack, the shelter was effectively punctured. However, radiation levels remained normal.
More details about the strike can be found in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
