On the night of 14 February, Russia attacked the metal casing of the protective structure over the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant with a drone. As of the morning of 17 February, emergency rescue operations are ongoing, but the smouldering insulation has been extinguished. The radiation background remains normal.
According to Oleh Korikov, Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine, the damage is significant. ‘There is damage to both the outer and inner shell, lifting equipment, ventilation system, and there are problems with the power supply. The structure is not valid as a radiation shelter.’
The main problem is the depressurisation of the facility. Under the new protective arch, there is an old Soviet sarcophagus called the Shelter, which has unstable structures. ‘The safety of these structures was justified until 2023,’ says Oleh Korikov. – ‘Then it was necessary to either stabilise or dismantle them. However, due to the war and lack of funds, this was not done – the measures were postponed until 2029. Now the situation has changed. After all, the arch no longer performs the functions that were assigned to it. Therefore, the issue of strengthening the old shelter has become urgent. The IAEA recognises that it is dangerous, but no concrete actions have been taken yet.’
