Chornobyl NPP sarcophagus may not withstand a missile strike

The Chornobyl NPP director warned that the protective structure could suffer critical damage even without a direct missile or drone hit, although the radiation level currently remains within normal limits.

Makim Krus

23/12/2025

Sarcophagus over ChNPP may not withstand even a close call - plant director

The protective structure over the fourth power unit of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant may suffer critical damage even in the event of a close hit by a Russian missile or drone, the director of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant said Igor Tarakanov.

Details of the application

According to the head of the station, the integrity of the sarcophagus cannot be guaranteed in the event of an accident:

direct hit by a missile or UAV;
a munition falling near the facility;
strike by Iskander missiles, which have significant explosive power.

Tarakanov stressed that after one of the previous Russian attacks, the protective structure had already lost some of its key functions, which increases the overall risks to the facility.

Radiation situation

Despite the damage, the radiation background on the territory of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant remains stable and currently does not exceed permissible standards. Experts are constantly monitoring the plant and the exclusion zone.

Context.

The Chornobyl nuclear power plant is located near Ukraine's northern border and has repeatedly been in the zone of potential threat during Russian attacks. Experts emphasise that any serious damage to the sarcophagus could have not only national but also international consequences.