The protective shield that covers the Chornobyl nuclear reactor in Ukraine has been severely compromised following a drone strike in February, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed in a recent report. The strike, which left a hole in the “new safe confinement” built around the reactor, has rendered the structure incapable of performing its primary function of blocking radiation, although no permanent damage was found to its load-bearing structures or monitoring systems.

The strike occurred in February 2025, when a drone carrying a high-explosive warhead hit the protective cover, causing a fire and damaging the cladding around the reactor. Ukrainian authorities at the time reported that the drone was launched by Russian forces, although Moscow denied the accusation. Despite the damage, radiation levels remained normal and stable, and no radiation leaks were reported.

The “new safe confinement,” which was erected as part of a Europe-led initiative, was a €1.5 billion ($1.75 billion) project completed in 2019. It was designed to replace the decaying concrete “sarcophagus” that was hastily constructed by the Soviet Union in the aftermath of the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear disaster. The original sarcophagus, built to contain the radioactive materials inside the damaged reactor, was only expected to last 30 years. The new structure was intended to contain radiation for decades while the remaining nuclear waste and reactor debris were removed.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, confirmed that an inspection mission conducted last week found that the drone strike had severely degraded the protective shield. He explained that while the primary safety functions of the structure, including radiation containment, had been lost, the core load-bearing structures and monitoring systems had not been permanently damaged. Grossi added that some repairs had already been made to mitigate the damage, but comprehensive restoration was necessary to prevent further deterioration and ensure long-term safety at the site.

The drone strike is not the first instance of the Chornobyl site being affected by military actions. During the early stages of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian forces occupied the Chornobyl plant and the surrounding area for more than a month. The occupation briefly disrupted operations at the facility, which is located about 100 kilometers from Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.

The IAEA’s recent inspection of the Chornobyl site took place alongside a broader survey of damage to Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure, which has been a key target in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.

While the situation at Chornobyl remains under control for now, the IAEA has stressed the urgency of restoring the new safe confinement to prevent further risks of radiation exposure.