Chernobyl's Protective Shield Can No Longer Confine Radiation, UN Nuclear Watchdog Says (politico.eu)
- Reference: 0180314471
- News link: https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/25/12/06/1916232/chernobyls-protective-shield-can-no-longer-confine-radiation-un-nuclear-watchdog-says
- Source link: https://www.politico.eu/article/chernobyl-radiation-shield-has-stopped-working-after-russian-drone-strikes-un-warns/
> [T]he large steel structure "lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability" when its outer cladding was set ablaze after being struck by Russian drones, according to a new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Beyond that, there was "no permanent damage to its load-bearing structures or monitoring systems," it said. "Limited temporary repairs have been carried out on the roof, but timely and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety," IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi [2]said in astatement .
The Guardian [3]has pictures of the protective shield — incuding the damage from the drone strike. The shield is the world's largest movable land structure, [4]reports CNN :
> The IAEA, which has a permanent presence at the site, will "continue to do everything it can to support efforts to fully restore nuclear safety and security," Grossi said.... Built in 2010 and completed in 2019, it was designed to last 100 years and has played a crucial role in securing the site.
>
> The project cost €2.1 billion and was funded by contributions from more than 45 donor countries and organizations through the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which in 2019 hailed the venture as "the largest international collaboration ever in the field of nuclear safety."
[1] https://www.politico.eu/article/chernobyl-radiation-shield-has-stopped-working-after-russian-drone-strikes-un-warns/
[2] https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/update-331-iaea-director-general-statement-on-situation-in-ukraine
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/06/chornobyl-disaster-shelter-no-longer-blocks-radiation-and-needs-major-repair-iaea
[4] https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/06/europe/chernobyl-drone-strike-radiation-latam-intl
The Ghostwriter. (Score:1)
Dearest AI,
Could you kindly whip me up a nice story about a Toxic Avenger rising up from the depths of a former nuclear plant? Because I'm certain we could sell another seven sequels.
- Hollywood Scriptwriters on Eco Mode
(Hey don't mock. A massive 1% of the proceeds just might go to a certain containment shield repair if Hollywood Accounting checks out for the Church of the DNC they set up to accept charitable donations to a non-profit as pure as the porn star in Virgin Snow. )
Old News? (Score:1, Insightful)
> The UN reported on 14 February that Ukrainian authorities said a drone with a high explosive warhead struck the plant, caused a fire and damaged the protective cladding around the reactor. Ukrainian authorities said the drone was Russian. Moscow denied it had attacked the plant.
Re: (Score:3)
Russian authorities always lie, even if telling the truth would have been beneficial to them. They can't help themselves.
Re:Was it a Russian drone? (Score:5, Insightful)
> Yeah, Russia and Ukraine are at war, but was it a Russian drone that attacked the dome? Ukraine has more reason to attack it and blame Russia, so they hope Europe will poor more money into them (their leaders already shown nothing has changed over the decades in how corrupt they are) . Chernobyl is very close to russian border, so if the dome cracks and nuclear radiation escapes, it might hit russia. But of course it might be possible for a russian drone on its way to Kyiv to be misguided and hit the dome by accident. Yeah Russians are morons and not very nice, but in this war nothing is as it seems, and we in the west don't seem to get the real/full story.
Russia has more reason to attack it because in doing so, people like you will contemplate it being Ukraine blaming Russia to garner sympathy. Of course, Ukraine has more reason to attack is so people like me will think it's Russia hoping to blame Ukraine for it being Russia false-flagging Ukraine's implication of Russia being to blame while falsely accusing Ukraine.
We can play sixteen-dimensional chess. Or we can boil it all down to one country being instigators and nothing else mattering. The dome is damaged because Russia invaded another country. Period. In my books, even if the leader of Ukraine ordered Ukranian people to damage the dome, the Russians are to blame. There's the border. Get back on your side.
Re: (Score:2)
> Ukraine has more reason to attack it and blame Russia, so they hope Europe will poor more money into them
This doesn't really track as the most likely scenario, I mean the risk to Ukraine is enormous if this was found out, particularly when Europe is and has been helping them. Really just an overall needlessly risky plan. I'm not totally convinced Russia has a legit reason to attack intentionally, an accident seems likely.
Also it's [1]"very close to the Russian Border" [app.goo.gl] only if you're the type of person who considers Belarus just another part of Russia at this point. It's closer to Kiev than the closest Russian
[1] https://maps.app.goo.gl/pLcVvcQr4t5E75wQ6
Re: (Score:2)
> Who is going to find them out and hold them to account? No one.
What do you mean? Everyone! Europe would not be happy with that. The USA would not. Russia has every incentive to expose such an action if it took place. Belarus would also be very incentivized. Seriously, think about it.
> This is a war and both sides are to blame.
No, this is an invasion. Ukraine did not attack Russia, even Russia acknowledges that. You can say an invasion is justified and make that case but that's the position you're starting from, Ukraine was not looking to war with Russia, you can't just hand wave a "uhh, both sides" here a
Re: (Score:2)
Nordstream is a given I'll say that but it does not carry the risk to relations nearly as much as Chernobyl, is also in the ocean and was likely rebels, not a state action.
> Russia points to the Maidan revolution and following civil war as being instigated by Ukrainian "Nazis' spurred on by NATO
Who cares? Everyone knows that is not factually true. Do you think that's true? It's not true you know.
Russia does not lean on an attack on their people or terriroty as one of their many justifications.
> Serbia
Oh, pray tell, and what was happening in Serbia that wasn't happening in Ukraine?
Re: (Score:2)
I love Russian trolls. If you are attacking another country and your mercenaries are literally imitating SS uniforms, you don't have to ask if you are the baddies.
Re: (Score:3)
> Ukraine has more reason to attack it and blame Russia
That's like the situation where one of my neighbor's dogs pooped on my lawn. Which neighbor was it? Was it the one that I see conscientiously pick up their dog's poop every time on their walks. Or the neighbor that lets their dog roam around the neighborhood with no leash? Your argument would be the conscientious one did it to frame the other neighbor. Because . . .sympathy and support? I do not believe Europe needs any more justification for sympathy and support for Ukraine.
> But of course it might be possible for a russian drone on its way to Kyiv to be misguided and hit the dome by accident.
Consider Russia indiscriminately
Re: Was it a Russian drone? (Score:2)
The facts:
- Russia is attacking civilian targets in Ukraine
- Russian military is actively invading a sovereign country
- there are multiple documented war crimes committed by Russian military during the invasion
- Russian agents have committed various provocations in EU countries
- the Russians have a history of blundering in Chernobyl recently
In the light of the above, your claims are suspect.
And the only way to get it back (Score:4, Insightful)
> The project cost €2.1 billion and was funded by contributions from more than 45 donor countries and organizations through the Chernobyl Shelter Fund
Take it out of Putin's ass.