August M
Flurries of sparks lit the grey shell of the New Safety Confinement as engineers climbed the damaged arch, inspecting twisted metal and scorched panels.
Months after a Russian drone strike tore into the protective enclosure built to secure the Chernobyl reactor, repair crews are now working through the winter to stabilise the site.
A senior plant official said that restoring the structure’s integrity will take time, but the priority is to prevent further deterioration while ensuring radiation conditions remain safe, reports WPTech
long road to restoration
According to WP Tech, Sergei Kondratenko, the plant’s Deputy Technical Director for Infrastructure, said the reconstruction should be completed by late 2026
The effort is being funded under an agreement between Ukraine and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
French engineering firms Bouygues Travaux Publics and VINCI Construction Grands Projets were brought in to assess the arch and guide the extensive repair programme.
The February 2025 attack, wptech reported, severely compromised the enclosure’s ability to shield the reactor, requiring both structural repairs and safety reassessments.
Severe structural impact
The blast triggered a fire that destroyed waterproofing layers and damaged the sealing membrane designed to isolate the structure.
Emergency crews drilled 130 holes into the exterior to contain the fire — an action that allowed moisture into the enclosure and raised concerns about corrosion of metal components.
Despite these issues, radiation levels at the site are stable, wptech noted, and Ukraine’s nuclear regulator has suspended any work that could heighten radiation risks.
on-site assessments
According to Defense Blog, as reported by WP Tech, radiation specialists from the 704th Independent Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Brigade are carrying out detailed checks at the site
Their teams are taking samples and documenting conditions across the damaged zones to support repair planning.
Sources: wptech; Defense Blog
