The international atomic energy agency (IAEA) has said the protective structure built to contain radioactive waste at the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site can no longer fully perform its safety functions after being damaged in a drone strike earlier this year. The new safe confinement (NSC) - the giant steel arch installed to cover the destroyed No 4 reactor - was “severely damaged” during a February 14 strike that sparked a fire and tore through protective cladding, the agency said in a statement on Friday. The IAEA noted the structure has “lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability.” Ukraine has accused Russia of carrying out the attack, an allegation the Kremlin has denied. IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi said only “limited temporary

See Full Page