Tue Dec 23 16:53:23 UTC 2025: News Article:
Russian Strike Threatens Chernobyl’s Radiation Containment Structure
Kyiv, December 23, 2025 (The Hindu e-Paper) – The director of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has warned that a potential Russian strike could lead to the collapse of the New Safe Confinement (NSC), the structure containing radiation from the remains of reactor 4. Sergiy Tarakanov, the plant’s director, told AFP that a direct hit from a missile or drone, particularly an Iskander, could cause a “mini-earthquake” and jeopardize the shelter’s stability.
Kyiv has repeatedly accused Russia of targeting the Chernobyl facility since the 2022 invasion. An earlier strike this year already punched a hole in the NSC’s outer radiation shell, prompting concerns from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the loss of its primary safety functions.
Tarakanov stated that fully restoring the damaged shelter could take three to four years. While radiation levels at the site remain stable, he emphasized the urgency of preventing further damage. The IAEA confirmed the NSC had “lost its primary safety functions” following an inspection. While the hole caused by the drone hit has been covered, 300 smaller holes remain to be filled.
The Chernobyl plant was briefly captured by Russian forces at the start of the invasion in 2022. The threat of renewed attacks raises serious concerns about the potential for a new nuclear disaster.
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