Story perspectives

Russian Drone Hits Chernobyl Arch, Delaying Dismantling Ten Years

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

A Russian drone struck the New Safe Confinement arch at Chernobyl on Feb. 14, 2025, damaging its outer layer.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said the damage impairs the arch’s ability to contain radioactive material and to enable safe dismantling.
Ukraine’s nuclear staff say the strike delays the sarcophagus dismantling project by about ten years and requires urgent repairs.
Workers reported a two-week fire that firefighters extinguished after forty minutes.

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Story summary

A Russian drone struck the New Safe Confinement arch at Chernobyl on Feb. 14, 2025, damaging its outer layer.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said the damage impairs the arch’s ability to contain radioactive material and to enable safe dismantling.
Ukraine’s nuclear staff say the strike delays the sarcophagus dismantling project by about ten years and requires urgent repairs.
Workers reported a two-week fire that firefighters extinguished after forty minutes.