The damage caused by a Russian drone to the protective structure over the crashed fourth power unit of the “Chernobyl” nuclear power plant has led to a certain loss of safety - including its ability to contain radiation. This is stated in a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Last week, representatives of the organization visited Ukraine, completing a comprehensive assessment of the safety of the damaged dome.
How will the protective structure be restored?
The Deputy Technical Director for Infrastructure of the “Chernobyl” Sergei Kondratenko explains that the fire that occurred as a result of the strike by a Russian drone led to the loss of some of the functions performed by the facility. First of all, it lost its role as a barrier to the spread of radioactive substances into the environment. Due to the depressurization of the shell over the supporting metal structures, moisture is already entering.
“Now our task is to restore the design functionality of the sarcophagus. First of all, it is necessary to close all the holes and gaps that appeared as a result of the fire. By October, we had closed only one large hole with an area of 15 m², which appeared directly from the drone strike. But the remaining problems remain”, said Kondratenko. He also reported that Ukraine, together with international partners, is looking for options for restoring the shell. The first activities to restore its hermetic sealing should be completed by the end of 2026.
Does the damage pose radiation risks?
Sergey Kondratenko emphasizes that the radiation level has not changed due to the depressurization, but the damage has significantly affected the operational life of the facility, which was supposed to cover the remains of the crashed Chernobyl NPP unit for 100 years.
However, the damage does not pose a critical threat to the population, notes Dmitry Gumeniuk, head of the safety analysis department at the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine. He recalls that after the accident in 1986, the damaged power unit was quickly covered with a sarcophagus built from improvised materials.
“This old sarcophagus is not hermetically sealed. It was made in a hurry, it could collapse at any moment, it must be dismantled. The new protective shell was supposed to cover the old sarcophagus and prevent the spread of radioactive dust for at least 100 years. The dismantling of the old structures was planned, but now it is not known when it will take place”, explains the expert. The strike by a Russian drone and the damage to the shell significantly changes Ukraine's plans for eliminating the consequences of the Chernobyl accident.
Restoring the shell will require significant funds
Energy expert Victoria Voytsitskaya believes that Ukraine will need international financial support to restore the damaged protective shell. According to her, the partners who helped build the facility can provide assistance again. She recalls that over 45 countries have participated in its construction, providing about two billion euros.
“Ukraine currently does not have the funds, we cannot independently restore the functionality of the reactor shell damaged by Russia. We rely on the G-7 countries and the EU. But I very much hope that the United States, realizing the risks associated with the damaged shell, will also participate in such financing”, Voytsitskaya told DW. She calls on the partners to establish clear “red lines” for Russia and to impose sanctions on “Rosatom” in order to prevent further shelling of Ukrainian nuclear facilities and to end nuclear blackmail by Moscow.
Author: Liliya Rzheutskaya