• The Chornobyl nuclear plant's protective shield is reportedly damaged due to a drone strike.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirms the structure can no longer perform its safety functions.
• Ukrainian authorities attribute the drone attack to Russia, which has denied involvement.
• IAEA's inspection indicated no severe permanent damage to key structures, but restoration is crucial.
• Radiation levels are stable, and there are no reports of leaks.

A protective shield at the Chornobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine, initially constructed to mitigate the fallout from the 1986 disaster, has been rendered ineffective due to drone damage, according to the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the IAEA. This damage is attributed to a drone strike that Ukraine claims was carried out by Russia, occurring during the ongoing conflict that began in 2022. The IAEA confirmed that the structure, inspected last week, has lost its primary safety functions including its confinement capabilities, a critical element for nuclear safety, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and South China Morning Post.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi remarked that while some repairs have been implemented, comprehensive restoration is essential "to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety." Observations from the UN indicated that despite the damage, there was no permanent impairment to the load-bearing structures or monitoring systems of the plant, and radiation levels have remained normal and stable, without any reported leaks. This assessment highlights the continuing risks posed by unresolved safety issues at the facility, as detailed by Channel News Asia, Reuters, and South China Morning Post.

The incident unfolded amid heightened tensions following the 1986 disaster, which devastated the surrounding region and had far-reaching effects across Europe. It was noted that the last operational reactor at Chornobyl was shut down in 2000. The Russian military occupied the site during the early stages of the invasion in February 2022, attempting to gain a strategic foothold close to Kyiv, complicating the security situation further. This context adds urgency to the IAEA's ongoing inspections and assessments of nuclear facilities impacted by the conflict, as conveyed by Channel News Asia, Reuters, and South China Morning Post.