Russian Strike Threatens Chernobyl Nuclear Shelter’s Stability

A Russian strike could potentially collapse the internal radiation shelter at the defunct Chernobyl nuclear power station in Ukraine, according to plant director Sergiy Tarakanov. The New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure, designed to prevent radiation leaks, was damaged in a February 2025 drone strike, losing some of its primary safety functions. Tarakanov warns that another hit, especially from a missile like the Iskander, could cause a mini-earthquake, further compromising the shelter’s integrity. The IAEA confirms the NSC has lost confinement capability but found no permanent damage to load-bearing structures or monitoring systems. Repairs are estimated to take three to four years, with costs potentially exceeding €100 million.