"A drone strike has damaged a protective shield at the Chornobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine, rendering it unable to contain the radioactive material from the 1986 explosion of the plant, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday that the shield can no longer perform its main safety function, following an inspection of the steel structure last week."
"IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement that the inspection mission confirmed that the [protective structure] had lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability, but also found that there was no permanent damage to its load-bearing structures or monitoring systems. Grossi said repairs had already been carried out but comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety."
"The agency found the drone impact had degraded the shield in February, in a strike Ukraine has accused Russia of carrying out, with the two countries' ongoing conflict now in its fourth year. Throughout the war, Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of blocking the rotation of staff from the IAEA at the Zaporizhzhia facility and of risking a potentially devastating nuclear disaster by attacking the site."
A drone strike damaged the protective shield over reactor number four at the Chornobyl nuclear plant, degrading its confinement capability and rendering it unable to contain radioactive material from the 1986 explosion. The IAEA inspection confirmed loss of primary safety functions but found no permanent damage to load-bearing structures or monitoring systems. Repairs have been carried out, yet comprehensive restoration is essential to prevent further degradation and secure long-term nuclear safety. Ukrainian authorities blamed Russia for the February strike, which Moscow denied. Radiation levels remained normal and stable and no radiation leaks were reported. The incident occurs amid the fourth year of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and wider concerns about attacks on nuclear sites and staff rotation disputes at Zaporizhzhia.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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