Chernobyl protective shield ‘can no longer confine radiation’, UN Nuclear watchdog says

Ukraine has accused Russia of targeting the plant

The massive structure has lost its "primary safety functions including the confinement capability", according to inspectors of a UN watchdog.

The structure was built over the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster, but it was damaged after a drone strike there in February, for which Ukraine has accused Russia.

Russia, however, has denied these claims made by Ukraine.

Repairs were "essential" to "prevent further degradation" of the nuclear shelter, The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said.

But environmental expert Jim Smith, who has studied the Chernobyl disaster’s aftermath, told the BBC that “it is not something to panic about”, and that “the biggest danger linked to the site was disturbing radioactive dust”.

He further added that contaminated dust is contained within a thick concrete "sarcophagus" which is covered by the protective shield, and that “the risk is low”.

The Chernboyl disaster of 1986 triggered a public health emergency across Europe, as the explosion blasted radioactive material in the air.

The former Soviet Union then constructed the sarcophagus in order to contain the radioactive material.

But in order for the radioactive material not to leak out over the next century, a protective shell was needed as the sarcophagus was expected to be functional only for 30 years.

The IAEA has been inspecting electrical substations linked to nuclear safety and security, in addition to assessing Chernobyl, as Ukraine continues to face Russian attacks.