Chernobyl’s New Safe Confinement Damaged in Drone Strike: IAEA Warns Radiation Shield Lost Key Safety Function, Repairs Could Take Years
A drone strike on February 14, 2025, tore into the New Safe Confinement at Ukraine’s Chornobyl nuclear plant, igniting a fire and damaging the outer shell, according to Ukrainian officials. The IAEA later said the shelter “lost its primary safety functions,” though radiation levels stayed normal. Ukraine blamed Russia, which denied involvement. The strike did not breach the inner containment.