Vienna: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has announced that the protective steel structure at Ukraine's Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, designed to prevent radioactive leakage, was damaged in a drone strike earlier this year. The agency reported that the New Safe Confinement, a massive steel arch intended to contain contamination from the infamous 1986 disaster, suffered damage to its outer shell and experienced a fire as a result of the attack.

According to Anadolu Agency, the IAEA completed an assessment last week confirming the extent of the damage. Limited temporary repairs have been made to the roof, but the structure now requires extensive restoration to regain its essential safety function. The IAEA emphasized that the shield is not currently able to fulfill its core safety role.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, assured that the agency, which maintains a permanent team at the Chernobyl site, will continue to support restoration efforts to ensure nuclear safety and security. Grossi reiterated the agency's commitment to aiding in the full recovery of the protective measures at the facility.

The statement also addressed ongoing concerns at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has been under Russian control since March 2022. The facility recently experienced its 11th loss of external power since the conflict began, following military activity in the area. Although the power was restored after approximately 30 minutes via a 330-kV transmission line, the main 750-kV line remains offline.

Grossi warned of the 'unacceptable risks' posed by repeated power disruptions at nuclear sites and urged all parties involved in the conflict to protect these facilities and their surrounding infrastructure. He stressed the need for restraint to avoid any potential nuclear accidents amidst the ongoing hostilities.