Chernobyl New Safe Confinement NSC Under Drone Attack: Implications for Reactor 4 Decommissioning

Overview

The B1M investigates the Chernobyl disaster and the New Safe Confinement NSC built to encase reactor 4, a €2 billion engineering milestone designed for a century of safety. A February 2025 drone strike damaged the structure, raising questions about its integrity and the ongoing decommissioning effort at CHNPP in Ukraine. The film explains the history from the original sarcophagus to the NSC, the technical safeguards that kept dust contained, and the complex challenges posed by war and funding in the years ahead.

It features insights from Simon Evans of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and environment expert Jim Smith, highlighting how international collaboration transformed a radiological crisis into a managed risk, and why the future safety of Chernobyl remains uncertain despite the NSC being operational.

Overview and Historical Context

The B1M chronicles the Chernobyl accident and the subsequent engineering response that culminated in the New Safe Confinement NSC. Built as a two halves structure with a massive arch to envelop reactor 4 and the deteriorating sarcophagus, the NSC was designed to last about 100 years and to withstand extreme natural events. It represented a global effort to contain the most dangerous elements of reactor 4 and to create a safe workspace for eventual decommissioning.

The Engineering Marvel of the NSC

Constructed in two halves due to space constraints, the NSC uses a top down assembly process and features an annular space with humidity control and a high pressure air system to prevent leaks. The roof comprises multiple protective layers including stainless steel reflections for gamma rays and a weatherproof membrane. Engineers used strand jacks to raise the central arch and slide each half into place, resulting in a structure that could enclose the destroyed unit while allowing cranes and other equipment to access the interior.

From Sarcophagus to NSC

Prior to the NSC, the 1986 sarcophagus sealed the northern side of the reactor but raised concerns about long term stability. Warnings in 1996 suggested the shelter could collapse within years, potentially releasing large quantities of radioactive dust. A dedicated international fundraising and design effort began in 2001, ultimately delivering the NSC in 2019. The project marked a turning point in the management of Chernobyl and set the stage for safer decommissioning operations.

2025 Drone Attack and Immediate Aftermath

On February 14 2025 a Russian drone strike created a roughly 15 square meter hole in the NSC exterior and interior cladding on the northern side. Firefighters battled a spreading blaze in subzero temperatures, and despite efforts, smoke and smoldering persisted, with water freezing in the -16 C climate. Fire crews used 7 hoses for 17 days before declaring the fire under control. The attack damaged about 200 square meters of cladding and compromised the roof integrity, raising concerns about dust containment if the dust were to be released through the breached envelope.

War, Funding and Human Capital Challenges

The 2022 Russian occupation of the CHNPP complex further complicated decommissioning by disrupting access, transport links, and the skilled workforce. The ongoing conflict threatens the site logistics and the continuity of training and expertise needed to manage the hazardous facility. Ukraine has faced decreased funding for decommissioning as resources shift to wartime needs, underscoring the fragility of even well planned, international funded projects.

What Comes Next

Short term efforts focus on patching the NSC openings, but long term fixes remain unclear. Detaching the affected half of the shelter was deemed impossible by the NSC consortium, and new engineering concepts will be required to preserve the confinement while facilitating continued decommissioning. The video emphasizes the resilience shown by CHNPP staff and the ongoing international support from bodies such as the EBRD, even as funding and security conditions remain uncertain.

Conclusion

The NSC transformed Chernobyl safety history, but new threats from war and funding instability demand innovative solutions. The story demonstrates how international collaboration can deliver large scale hazardous site management while highlighting the need for sustained, credible support to finish the job safely and permanently.