The operational and technical documentation, agreed with the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate taking into account the conclusions of the state nuclear and radiation safety expertise , sets the operating life time of the containment structure of the Shelter object until October 31, 2029, with the possibility of its extension subject to safety justification for the purpose of safe preparation and dismantling of the unstable structures. As of the current time, the containment structure of the Shelter object performs its functions in accordance with the technological regulations of the NSC-Shelter complex.

Despite the fact that, as a result of the strike by a drone on 14 February 2025 and the aftermath of the fire-fighting operation, the arch of the New Safe Confinement (NSC)—which was constructed to ensure the containment of radioactive materials in the case if the containment structure of the ‘Shelter’ facility failed, lost its ability to fully seal its internal volume, its protective shell continues to partially fulfill its key role — the ecological isolation of the destroyed power unit from the surrounding environment. 

As of today, work is underway to restore the tightness of the specified facility, the release of radioactive substances outside the NSC, exceeding those established by the relevant norms and operational documentation, has not been registered, the facility is in a controlled state.

No damage to the supporting structures of the localizing structure of the Shelter object, the New Safe Confinement, as a result of the drone hit on February 14, 2025 and the consequences of the fire extinguishing has been recorded.

Provided that all systems are operating normally, and in the absence of external influences (physical damage due to hostilities or natural disasters), the risks of uncontrolled release of radioactive substances outside the NSC are currently assessed as minimal.

The equivalent dose rate (EDR) of gamma radiation at the ChNPP industrial site are within the established control levels. The automated radiation monitoring systems (ARMS) are operating in normal mode, with no exceedances of control levels detected.

Supplementary information: An IAEA permanent mission has been operating at the ChNPP site since January 2023. Representatives of the Agency carry out independent monitoring of radiation and nuclear safety parameters. In November 2025, the IAEA conducted a further comprehensive assessment of the NSC condition the following the damage. The IAEA mission confirmed the loss of design integrity, but also established that there was no damage to the supporting structure or monitoring systems, and that there had been no radiation release. The IAEA considers it necessary to carry out urgent measures to restore the damaged structures and continues to provide technical assistance to ensure the long-term nuclear safety of the facility.

Serhiy Tarakanov
General Director of the State Enterprise of Chernobyl NPP