A drone strike has caused damage to the New Safe Confinement (NSC) at Ukraine’s Chornobyl nuclear site overnight, sparking concerns but causing no radiation leaks. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that radiation levels inside and outside the structure remain “normal and stable.” The explosion, reported at 01:50 am local time, damaged both external and internal cladding of the NSC, which protects the remains of the reactor destroyed in the 1986 disaster. A fire caused by the impact was swiftly extinguished, and no casualties were reported.
The NSC, completed in 2019, was designed to contain radioactive material for 100 years. Ukrainian officials blamed Russia for the attack, while the Kremlin denied involvement. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized that this incident, along with military activity near other nuclear sites like Zaporizhia, highlights ongoing risks. The IAEA continues to monitor the situation closely as tensions persist in the region.
