Recent Russian attacks on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant have damaged the shelter over the destroyed reactor. ChNPP Director Serhii Tarakanov warned that a direct hit or nearby impact could lead to the shelter’s collapse and a mini-earthquake. The New Safe Confinement (NSC) suffered damage in a February drone strike, which compromised its safety functions and will take at least three to four years to restore. Despite the damage, radiation levels remain stable, though repairs are needed to address holes caused by the strike and subsequent firefighting efforts.
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The new safe confinement at the Chernobyl nuclear plant, constructed in 2019 as part of a €1.5 billion Europe-led initiative, has suffered damage. The structure, designed to prevent radioactive leakage and replace the reactor destroyed in the 1986 meltdown, was targeted by Russian drones. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the attack resulted in the loss of the confinement facility’s primary safety functions, including its ability to contain radioactive materials.
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On the 39th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, a ceremony in Prypyat honored the victims and cleanup crews (“liquidators”). Attendees included survivors, relatives, government officials, and plant employees, who laid flowers and observed a minute of silence. State awards were presented to both Chernobyl liquidators and those responding to a 2025 Russian drone strike on the plant’s containment structure. The ceremony also acknowledged the bravery of those who remained at the plant during the 2022 Russian invasion, highlighting the ongoing nuclear threat and the lasting impact of the 1986 catastrophe.
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A Russian drone strike severely damaged the New Safe Confinement (NSC) at Chernobyl, impacting 50% of the northern roof and other critical areas. Greenpeace’s assessment reveals significant structural damage, including to the crane system, compromising the NSC’s functionality. Water and snow ingress pose further corrosion risks. Repairs may require the NSC’s costly relocation and reconstruction, mirroring the initial project’s massive expense.
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John Q. Hosedrinker