New Delhi: A protective shield at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine can no longer perform its primary function of blocking radiation, the United Nations said last week after a safety inspection of the site.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog, said that a drone attack by Russia in February this year had significantly damaged the steel confinement, which was built to contain radioactive material after the 1986 disaster. While there was no “permanent damage” to load-bearing structures or monitoring systems, it had lost its primary safety functions—its confinement capability.

“Repairs had already been carried out, but comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety,” IAEA Director Gen

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