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IAEA Says Chornobyl’s New Safe Confinement Has Lost Primary Safety Functions After February Drone Strike

Temporary repairs backed by the EBRD are slated for 2026 to restore confinement pending full restoration.

Overview

  • The IAEA inspection confirmed the loss of confinement capability but found no permanent damage to load-bearing structures or monitoring systems.
  • Limited roof repairs have been completed, and the agency says comprehensive restoration is essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term safety.
  • Ukraine attributes the Feb. 14 strike to Russia and the Kremlin denies responsibility, while UN reporting at the time recorded normal radiation levels with no leaks.
  • Recommended actions include humidity control measures, an updated corrosion‑monitoring program, and upgrades to the original sarcophagus’ integrated automatic monitoring system.
  • IAEA personnel remain on site and are visiting more than ten critical electrical substations through Dec. 12 as part of a wider nuclear‑safety assessment.