The protective shield over the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in Ukraine, which was hit by a drone in February, can no longer perform its primary function of blocking radiation, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced.
In February, a drone attack blew a hole in the "new secure defense," which was painstakingly built at a cost of 1.5 billion euros near the destroyed reactor.
The IAEA said an inspection last week of the steel structure found that the drone impact had degraded the structure.
By contrast, the Chernobyl explosion in 1986 - which occurred when Ukraine was under Moscow's rule as part of the Soviet Union - sent radiation across Europe.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said an inspection mission "confirmed that the containment structure had lost its key safety functions, including containment capability, but also found that there was no permanent damage to its load-bearing structures or monitoring systems."
Grossi said some repairs had been carried out, "but comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety."
The UN reported on February 14 that Ukrainian authorities said a drone with a high-explosive warhead hit the plant, causing a fire and damaging the protective cladding around the reactor.
Radiation levels then remained normal and stable, and there were no reports of radiation leaks. /Telegraph/
