A protective shield covering the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in Ukraine can no longer provide its main containment function following a drone strike earlier this year, according to a UN watchdog.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors found that the massive structure, built over the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster, had lost its primary safety functions including the confinement capability.
In February, Ukraine accused Russia of targeting the power plant - a claim the Kremlin denied.
The IAEA stated that repairs were essential to prevent further degradation of the nuclear shelter. However, environmental expert Jim Smith told the BBC: It is not something to panic about.
Prof Smith from the University of Portsmouth, who has studied the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, said the biggest danger linked to the site was disturbing radioactive dust. But he noted that the risk is low due to the thick concrete sarcophagus containing the contaminated dust.
The 1986 explosion at Chernobyl released radioactive material into the atmosphere, resulting in a public health emergency across Europe. In response, the former Soviet Union constructed a sarcophagus over the nuclear reactor.
This sarcophagus had a 30-year lifespan, necessitating the need for an additional protective shell to prevent radioactive material from leaking out over the next century.
The IAEA recently completed a safety assessment of the site, which was severely damaged by the drone strike. The attack caused a fire in the outer cladding of the steel structure, although inspectors reported no permanent damage to the shell's load-bearing structures or monitoring systems.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized that timely and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety.
Since early December, the UN's nuclear watchdog has been evaluating Ukraine's energy infrastructure as the country defends itself against Russian aggression, with recent airstrikes reported on the industrial city of Kremenchuk.
In addition to inspecting Chernobyl, the IAEA has been examining electrical substations crucial for nuclear safety and the distribution of electricity that powers households and industries.
