Damaged Chernobyl Containment Facility

[RiffRaff]

The IAEA reports that the New Safe Confinement structure over Chernobyl’s destroyed Unit 4, damaged by a drone strike in February 2025, has “lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability”.

Inspection found no permanent damage to load-bearing structures or monitoring systems and current radiation levels remain stable. However, only limited repairs have been made. The IAEA says comprehensive restoration is essential to prevent further degradation and to ensure long-term nuclear safety at the site.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1997404150468940245

Copied from Military Events for separate discussion thread.

 

[NuclearID]

Energoatom reports that gamma radiation levels at the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remained within current standards from 8 to 12 December 2025. At the same time, the IAEA confirms that the New Safe Confinement at Chernobyl, damaged by a drone strike in February, can no longer fully perform its designed confinement function and will need major repair.

Zaporizhzhia experienced its 11th full loss of off site power overnight on 6 December, with power restored after roughly 30 minutes, again underlining how dependent the plant remains on fragile grid connections and backup systems for cooling.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1999567861069549849

 

[Deleted account]

Yesterday the United States joined Russia, Belarus, China, North Korea, Nicaragua and Niger in voting against a UN resolution aimed at expanding global efforts to mitigate the enduring impact of the 1986 catastrophe, acknowledging the lasting consequences of the Chernobyl disaster and the need for continued assistance to affected regions, while also expressing concern over the damage to the New Safe Confinement on Feb. 14, 2025, caused by a Russian drone strike.

The resolution passed anyway, since 97 states voted in favor.

Source

 

[NuclearID]

Ukrinform quotes the Chernobyl plant director warning the shelter may not withstand another strike. This is a vulnerability warning and risk signal, not confirmation of a new incident.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2003785258362093848