Ukraine plans to repair damaged Chernobyl sarcophagus by 2030

A complete repair of the damaged sarcophagus covering Unit 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant will take around 4 years. Ukraine plans to repair the damage caused by a Russian drone in February last year in cooperation with French suppliers of the metal structure. The sarcophagus, designed to last 100 years, was installed 10 years ago, replacing the previous concrete sarcophagus. Damage to the outer shell could lead to corrosion of the structure, so workers carried out temporary repairs in October last year.

Representatives of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant announced that they are negotiating with French companies to restore the functionality of the new sarcophagus covering Unit 4. The 2016 metal sarcophagus covers the plant’s damaged reactor, including the original concrete sarcophagus, and prevents radiation from escaping into the surrounding area. The sarcophagus shell was damaged in a Russian drone strike in February 2025.

"In October last year, plant staff managed to take a number of measures and seal the hole in the outer shell of the sarcophagus damaged by a Russian drone. This made it possible to get through the autumn and winter period relatively smoothly and prevent excessive precipitation from entering the structure. This solution, however, is only temporary. Comprehensive repairs and a full restoration of functionality are now needed," said Serhiy Tarakanov, director general of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

French companies Bouygues and Vinci, which designed and built the sarcophagus as part of the NOVARKA consortium, are expected to take part in repairing the shell. Representatives of all the companies have begun talks on the restoration plan, timeline and radiation exposure for the personnel carrying out the repairs.

In addition to repairing leaks in the outer shell, some steel structures and the maintenance system for the main cranes also need repairs. The companies expect the work to be completed by 2030 to prevent the structure from corroding under the effects of external factors.

100-year lifespan of the sarcophagus

Chernobyl’s Unit 4 reactor was completely destroyed in the 1986 accident and still contains around 200 tonnes of highly radioactive material. Within a few months, a concrete sarcophagus was built at the site to protect the surrounding area from radiation. However, given its limited lifespan and declining effectiveness, a new metal sarcophagus weighing 36,000 tonnes and designed to last 100 years was built at the site between 2010 and 2016.

"It is very important to restore the containment of radioactive materials, as well as active corrosion protection, to ensure the sarcophagus remains functional for its designed lifespan of 100 years. Once the comprehensive repairs are complete, we will be able to move on to the main task: dismantling the unstable old structures," Tarakanov noted.