Chernobyl, once infamous as the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster, is again making headlines. These worries were recently brought to light by a drone strike on Ukraine’s protective dome over the capital, Kyiv. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that the New Safe Confinement (NSC), a structure designed to contain radioactive waste, suffered damage due to the strike. This development raises red flags around the safety of the site. This is especially shocking since it comes in the context of Russia’s still-war in Ukraine.
The notorious blast from Chernobyl’s No. 4 reactor sent a plume of radiation around the globe on April 26, 1986. The disaster exposed millions to radiation and resulted in the evacuation of Pripyat, a city near the nuclear plant where more than 30 people died. Survivors—especially those exposed at younger ages—continue to experience a multitude of health complications associated with their radiation exposure. Considering these unprecedented occurrences, the IAEA has repeatedly called for safety and security at the site. At the same time, the World Health Organization has been calling for its importance.
In this photo, taken on in February 2023, Ukraine accused Russian forces of conducting an artillery strike at the Chernobyl exclusion area. The Kremlin has claimed the opposite, insisting that no attack ever occurred. After Russian forces took control of Chernobyl back in February of 2022, the stakes became incredibly real. In the course of their occupation, they allegedly took staff hostage for a month. Eventually, Russian troops retreated, leaving the territory again to Ukrainian forces.
The IAEA has called for major renovation of the NSC, which was built from 2010 to 2019. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, emphasized the pressing nature of the issue.
“Limited temporary repairs have been carried out on the roof, but timely and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety,” – Rafael Mariano Grossi.
The recent drone strike is a reminder of how precarious Chernobyl’s condition is in the context of current military hostilities. As Ukraine continues to face security challenges, Grossi affirmed that the IAEA would “continue to do everything it can to support efforts to fully restore nuclear safety and security.”
