The strike on the Chernobyl NPP has consequences: damaged containment threatens the collapse of the sarcophagus
Repairs to the shelter are estimated at $575 million
A strike by a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 2025 created a serious threat to the “Shelter” object. It concerns damage to the New Safe Confinement (NSC), which covers the destroyed fourth reactor. This is stated in a report by Greenpeace Ukraine.
According to experts, the strike occurred in February 2025. Inside the confinement are the ruins of Reactor No. 4 and the old sarcophagus, which was planned to be dismantled. However, due to damage to the protective structure, this work is currently impossible.
Greenpeace Ukraine emphasizes that without urgent repairs to the NSC the risk of the sarcophagus collapsing increases significantly. This is confirmed by engineer Erik Schmieman, who worked at the plant and participated in the creation of the confinement.
“The damage was caused by an attack by a Russian drone in February 2025. Inside the NSC are the ruins of Reactor No. 4 and the sarcophagus. The sarcophagus requires the quickest possible dismantling, however due to damage to the NSC this is currently impossible.”
Representatives of the organization also emphasize that the attack increased the risks even before the start of dismantling the old structure.
“The strike by a Russian drone increased the risk of the sarcophagus collapsing even before its safe dismantling.”
The international community is already discussing a plan to restore the protective structure. At the end of March 2026 this issue was raised by the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven countries in Paris. According to preliminary estimates, the cost of repair work is about 575 million dollars.
At the same time Greenpeace Ukraine draws attention to the fact that sanction pressure on the Russian nuclear sector remains insufficient. In particular, strict restrictions against the corporation “Rosatom” are being blocked by certain countries, among them Hungary and France.
The fourth reactor of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded in 1986, causing the largest nuclear disaster in history. The New Safe Confinement, completed in 2019, was intended to isolate the hazardous object and create conditions for the dismantling of the old structures. Its construction cost about 2.5 billion dollars.
Earlier we wrote:
- IAEA sounds the alarm: Russian strikes forced Ukrainian NPPs to reduce output, and the Chernobyl NPP — to switch to diesel
- “The sarcophagus may not hold” — the director of the Chernobyl NPP fears a repeat Russian strike
- IAEA inspected the Chernobyl NPP after the drone strike: is there a threat?
- An enemy drone breached the protection of the Chernobyl NPP: is the world on the brink of radiation danger?
- Shadow fleet and “Rosatom” in the crosshairs: the sanctions marathon continues
