IAEA: Drone Strike Breached Large Hole in Chernobyl's Containment Roof.

Ukrainian specialists continue to carry out temporary repairs on the New Safe Confinement (NSC) over the 'Shelter' facility at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was damaged by a drone attack in February 2024.

This was reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) citing its Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

'The drone strike on February 14 breached a large hole in the roof of the large confinement built to prevent any radioactive release from the reactor that was destroyed during the 1986 accident and to protect it from external threats. It took several weeks to completely extinguish the fires and smoldering caused by this strike'

IAEA representatives recently visited the site to assess the efforts to restore the structural integrity of the building and to observe the repair work on both the internal and external cladding intended to prevent water intrusion.

'Currently, the focus at the site is on assessing the full extent of the damage and conducting short-term repair works. It is evident that the containment structure, built at great expense and with significant international support, has suffered considerable damage,' Grossi reported.

The IAEA Director General also emphasized that despite the serious damage, there has been no radioactive release, and the New Safe Confinement continues to perform its protective function.