A Russian drone struck Chernobyl's protective outer shell (New Safe Confinement) in February 2025, piercing its exterior and compromising its ability to contain radiation safely. The damage means workers cannot resume the delicate dismantling of the unstable inner sarcophagus—which contains an estimated 200 tonnes of highly radioactive material—leaving the site in a dangerous holding pattern while repairs stall due to ongoing military operations. The international community estimates repairs could cost €500 million, with the IAEA confirming the structure lost its primary safety functions by December 2025. The war has turned Chernobyl into an active military zone where nuclear containment depends on fragile power lines and ceasefire agreements that can be broken at any moment.