Chernobyl sarcophagus has lost its protective functions: what the threat of a missile strike entails.

Threat to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

According to ТСН: The 'Shelter' and New Safe Confinement (NSC) at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant are complex engineering structures, but they were not designed to withstand new threats such as missile strikes or drone attacks. Any aggression in the vicinity of the station could lead to serious radiological consequences.

An expert also noted that the fourth unit of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is still in an emergency state, and nuclear fuel remains inside the reactor. Although the protective arch exists, its capabilities are insufficient for effective protection against modern threats.

'Indeed, nuclear power plants, especially such facilities as Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which suffered a disaster in 1986, are not designed for combat operations. The fourth unit, over which the new safe confinement has been built, is one of the most complex engineering structures in the world. If a 'Shahed', 'Iskander', or another type of missile hits it, the consequences could be very serious both in terms of design and non-design characteristics,' the expert explained.

Long-term consequences of the accident

The specialist emphasized that the complete restoration of the ruined reactor to an environmentally safe state is a task not for decades, but for centuries. The consequences of the 1986 accident will remain a challenge for future generations.

'The consequences of the accident will still reach our grandchildren. Bringing such an object to a safe state requires not decades, but centuries. Therefore, this object is complex and dangerous from the standpoint of nuclear and radiological safety, and military actions could cause it significant harm,' the expert summarized.

Earlier, the director of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant indicated that Russian strikes could damage the sarcophagus at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

According to an IAEA report, earlier this month, an inspection mission found that the protective arch over the reactor and sarcophagus over the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant 'have lost their main safety functions, including the ability to contain radioactive materials', and also noted that the support structures have not suffered permanent damage.

These latest findings from the IAEA highlight the urgent need to address safety issues around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Despite the fact that localizing radiological threats is a priority, militarization of the region and possible attacks on nuclear facilities remain a serious hidden danger for the international community. Proper safety measures and international control could be the key to a safe future for this sensitive area.