Overview
- The IAEA inspection last week confirmed the New Safe Confinement lost its primary safety functions, including confinement, while finding no permanent damage to load‑bearing structures or monitoring systems.
- Limited temporary roof repairs have been carried out, and the agency urges timely, comprehensive restoration to prevent further degradation and ensure long‑term nuclear safety.
- Recommendations focus on humidity control, an updated corrosion‑monitoring program, and upgrades to the integrated monitoring of the original sarcophagus.
- An EBRD‑supported program plans additional temporary works in 2026 to restore the confinement function as an interim step toward full restoration when conditions allow.
- Ukrainian authorities say a Feb. 14 drone strike caused the damage and Moscow denies responsibility, radiation levels were reported normal with no leaks, and the IAEA has a permanent team at the site.