{{Short description|Chernobyl Power Plant protective housing}} {{multiple issues| {{Update|the specification description|date=June 2018}} {{more citations needed|date=November 2016}} }} {{use mdy dates|date=July 2018}} {{Infobox building | name = Chernobyl New Safe Confinement | native_name = {{lang|uk|Новий чорнобильський саркофаг}} | native_name_lang = uk | image = File:NSC-Oct-2017.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = <!-- or | alt = --> | image_caption = The New Safe Confinement in its final position over the destroyed reactor 4 in October 2017 | pushpin_map = Ukraine | pushpin_map_alt = | map_caption = Location of the NSC, near the abandoned city of Pripyat, Ukraine | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_label = | pushpin_mark = | pushpin_relief = | alternate_names = New Shelter | etymology = | status = Unknown, power supplies cut | cancelled = | topped_out = | building_type = Containment structure | architectural_style = | classification = | location = Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant | address = | location_town = Pripyat | location_country = Ukraine | coordinates = {{Coord|51.3893|N|30.0932|E|display=inline,title|format=dms}} | altitude = | current_tenants = | namesake = | groundbreaking_date = | construction_start_date = September 2010 | est_completion = | completion_date = November 2016<ref name="ebrd" /> | topped_out_date = | opened_date = | inauguration_date = | relocated_date = | renovation_date = | closing_date = | demolished_date = | cost = €2.1 billion | ren_cost = | client = Government of Ukraine | owner = | landlord = | affiliation = | height = {{convert|108|m|1}}<ref name = "ebrd"/> | architectural = | tip = | roof = | top_floor = | weight = {{val|31000|u=tonnes}}<ref name="brochure">{{cite web |title=Transforming Chernobyl brochure |url=https://www.ebrd.com/news/publications/special-reports/transforming-chernobyl-brochure.html |publisher=EBRD |access-date=13 September 2018 |language=en |date=11 March 2015}}</ref> | other_dimensions = Span {{convert|260|m|1}}, external length {{convert|165|m|1}}{{r|brochure}} | structural_system = Arch-shaped lattice, clad with sandwich panels | material = Steel, with polycarbonate inner panels | size = | floor_count = | floor_area = | grounds_area = | architect = | architecture_firm = | developer = | engineer = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | civil_engineer = | other_designers = | quantity_surveyor = | main_contractor = Novarka with 50/50 partners Vinci Construction Grands Projets and Bouygues Travaux Publics as well as Mammoet for conveyance | awards = | designations = | known_for = | ren_architect = | ren_firm = | ren_engineer = | ren_str_engineer = | ren_serv_engineer = | ren_civ_engineer = | ren_oth_designers = | ren_qty_surveyor = | ren_contractor = | ren_awards = | parking = | website = https://www.chnpp.gov.ua/en/ | references = | footnotes = }} The '''New Safe Confinement''' ('''NSC''' or '''New Shelter'''; {{langx|uk|Новий безпечний конфайнмент|Novyy bezpechnyy konfaynment}}) is a structure put in place in 2016 to confine the remains of the number 4 reactor unit at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, in Ukraine, which was destroyed during the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. The structure also encloses the temporary Shelter Structure (sarcophagus) that was built around the reactor immediately after the disaster. The New Safe Confinement is designed to prevent the release of radioactive contaminants, protect the reactor from external influence, facilitate the disassembly and decommissioning of the reactor, and prevent water intrusion.<ref name="ebrd">{{Cite web |title=Chernobyl’s New Safe Confinement |url=https://www.ebrd.com/home/what-we-do/focus-areas/nuclear-safety.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108185237/https://www.ebrd.com/what-we-do/sectors/nuclear-safety/chernobyl-new-safe-confinement.html |archive-date=2020-11-08 |access-date=2020-11-28 |website=European Bank for Reconstruction and Development |language=en}}</ref>

The New Safe Confinement is a megaproject that is part of the Shelter Implementation Plan and supported by the Chernobyl Shelter Fund. It was designed with the primary goal of confining the radioactive remains of reactor 4 for 100 years.<ref name="ebrd" /> It also aims to allow for a partial demolition of the original sarcophagus, which was hastily constructed by Chernobyl liquidators after a beyond design-basis accident destroyed the reactor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contract for early Chernobyl dismantling work signed : Waste & Recycling – World Nuclear News |url=https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Contract-for-early-Chernobyl-dismantling-work-sign |access-date=2020-09-02 |website=world-nuclear-news.org}}</ref> The word {{em|confinement}} is used rather than the traditional {{em|containment}} to emphasize the difference between the containment of radioactive gases—the primary focus of most reactor containment buildings—and the confinement of solid radioactive waste, which is the primary purpose of the New Safe Confinement.<ref name="ebrd" />

In 2015, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) stated that the international community was aiming to close a €100 million funding gap, with administration by the EBRD in its role as manager of the Chernobyl decommissioning funds. The total cost of the Shelter Implementation Plan, of which the New Safe Confinement is the most prominent element, is estimated to be around €2.15 billion (US$2.3 billion). The New Safe Confinement accounts for €1.5 billion.<ref name=Chernobylebrd />

The French consortium Novarka with partners Vinci Construction Grands Projets and Bouygues Travaux Publics designed and built the New Safe Confinement.<ref name="ebrd" /> Construction was completed at the end of 2018.<ref name="ebrd.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.ebrd.com/news/2016/unique-engineering-feat-concluded-as-chernobyl-arch-has-reached-resting-place.html |title=Unique engineering feat concluded as Chernobyl arch has reached resting place |website=European Bank for Reconstruction and Development |date=29 November 2016 |access-date=12 January 2018}}</ref>

On 14 February 2025, during the Russo-Ukrainian war, a Russian "Geran-2" drone attack significantly damaged the NSC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian drone attack damages Chernobyl nuclear plant’s shelter, Zelensky says |url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/russian-drone-attack-damages-chernobyl-nuclear-plant-s-shelter-zelensky-says-20250214-p5lcbh.html |access-date=2025-02-14 |language=en |via=The Age |agency=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Altman |first=Howard |date=2025-02-14 |title=Hole Blasted By Drone In Chernobyl's Radiation Shield: What We Know |url=https://www.twz.com/news-features/hole-blasted-by-drone-in-chernobyls-radiation-shield-what-we-know |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=The War Zone |language=en-US}}</ref> Both the internal and external layers were breached during the attack.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-07 |title=Chernobyl: Emergency work completed after drone strike on shelter |url=https://world-nuclear-news.org/articles/chernobyl-emergency-work-completed-to-put-out-fires-in-shelter |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=World Nuclear News |language=en}}</ref>

==Background== {{Main|Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant sarcophagus}} The predecessor to the New Safe Containment was a structure formally referred to as the ''Shelter Structure'', and often called ''the sarcophagus''. Built between May and November 1986, the Shelter Structure was an emergency measure to confine the radioactive materials within reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The Shelter Structure was moderately successful in confining radioactive contamination and providing for post-accident monitoring of the destroyed nuclear reactor unit; it has been estimated that up to 95% of the original radioactive inventory of reactor 4 remains inside the ruins of the reactor building.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/apr/19/ukraine-funding-chernobyl-arch|title=Ukraine raises $785m to seal Chernobyl under new 'shell'|last=Vidal|first=John|date=19 April 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref>

However, the Shelter Structure—constructed under extreme conditions and severe time constraints—was never intended to be a permanent containment structure.<ref>''Inside Chernobyl's Mega Tomb'', http://www.windfallfilms.com/show/6894/inside-chernobyls-mega-tomb.aspx {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418081150/http://windfallfilms.com/show/6894/inside-chernobyls-mega-tomb.aspx |date=April 18, 2021 }}.</ref> As such, the shelter's deterioration over the years increased the risk of its radioactive contents leaking into the environment. Additionally the shelter was primarily supported by the remains of the reactor 4 building, which had been damaged by the initial explosion and were considered to be structurally unsound.<ref name=":4">{{cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=Stuart |last2=Lacombe |first2=Herve |date=February 1997 |title=A second shelter for Chernobyl: Its necessity and feasibility |journal=Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers |volume=120 |issue=1 |pages=2–14 |doi=10.1680/icien.1997.29157}}</ref>

Between 2004 and 2008, workers stabilized the roof and western wall of the shelter. However, construction of a new confinement system was deemed necessary to continue confining the radioactive remains of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant reactor 4.

== History ==

=== Design and planning === In 1992, Ukraine's government held an international competition for proposals to replace the sarcophagus. 394 proposals were submitted by various construction firms. While a short list of 19 finalists was announced, no design was considered a clear winner.<ref name=":4" />

In a 2006 letter to the editor of ''New Civil Engineer'', British civil engineer David Haslewood alleges that his firm, Manchester-based Design Group Partnership, first developed the idea of an arch built off-site to minimize construction workers' radiation exposure, and then slid over the existing sarcophagus. Haslewood claims that his firm partnered with AEA Technology to submit their proposal to the Ukrainian government's design competition, where it tied for second place.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haslewood |first=David |date=2006-05-11 |title=Overarching design |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/archive/overarching-design-11-05-2006/ |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=New Civil Engineer}}</ref> The idea would re-emerge in 1996, when a feasibility study organized by the European Commission programme TACIS included it among its suite of recommendations for future development of the shelter project.<ref name=":4" />

A year later, in 1997, the G7 Nuclear Safety Working Group assembled an international team of experts to create a plan to implement the study's recommendations. The result was the Shelter Implementation Plan (SIP), which outlined the steps required for shelter construction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chernobyl Implementation Plan - Nuclear Safety Cooperation |url=https://nuclear-safety-cooperation.ec.europa.eu/contracts/chernobyl-implementation-plan_en |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=nuclear-safety-cooperation.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>

The SIP originally called for construction to begin in January 1997, and finish in 2004. However, it quickly became clear that the Exclusion Zone lacked the infrastructure necessary to support such a complex project, which would have to be built before construction could begin. Bureaucratic hurdles and coordination issues between the numerous organizations involved in the project resulted in further delays. Finally, a dispute over contractor selection between the Ukrainian government and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which was providing much of the funding for the project, left the project in limbo for over a year.<ref name=":5">{{Cite report |url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-07-923.pdf |title=Construction of the Protective Shelter for the Chernobyl Nuclear Reactor Faces Schedule Delays, Potential Cost Increases, and Technical Uncertainties |date=2007-07-27 |publisher=United States Government Accountability Office |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260109003551/https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-07-923.pdf |archive-date=2026-01-09}}</ref>

As a result, it took until 2007 for a contractor for the project to be selected. On 17 September, the contract was awarded to Novarka, a consortium composed of the French construction firms Vinci Construction Grands Projets and Bouygues Travaux Publics.<ref name=":6" /><ref name="bbc070918" /> Novarka did not work alone: the consortium collaborated with both Ukrainian and international contractors throughout construction, with firms from 24 nations ultimately contributing to the project.<ref name="bbc131126" />

=== Construction === thumb|A panorama view of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in June 2013. The NSC construction area is the arch on the left-hand side.|center|647x647px The construction of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) was plagued by delays and budget overruns. Ultimately, the project took nine years to complete, and cost €1.5 billion.<ref name=":7" />

==== Structural construction and the "slipping" procedure ==== thumb|The New Safe Confinement (NSC) under construction in 2013. In 2009, stabilization efforts for the existing sarcophagus were completed, with the structure considered stable enough for another 15 years. The following year, the infrastructure upgrades to the Exclusion Zone undertaken in preparation for NSC construction were completed. These included road and rail connections, site services (power, water, drains, and communications), facilities for workers (including medical and radiation protection facilities), and the installation of a long-term monitoring system.<ref name=":6">{{cite web |date=January 2011 |title=Chernobyl 25 years on: New Safe Confinement and Spent Fuel Storage Facility |url=http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/research/factsheets/chernobyl25.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111041815/https://www.ebrd.com/downloads/research/factsheets/chernobyl25.pdf |archive-date=2017-11-11 |access-date=2018-03-02 |website=European Bank for Reconstruction and Development}}</ref>

With the necessarily preparations complete, Novarka began construction of the NSC itself in September 2010.<ref name="npd100924" /> The first six months of construction were spent on preparatory work such as the NSC's pilings, as well as further improvements to the Exclusion Zone's infrastructure.<ref name="Chernobylebrd" />left|thumb|The NSC under construction in April 2015In April 2012, steel erection began.<ref name="wired130103" /> The first part of the structure to be worked on was its eastern arch. However, its steel frame was initially constructed at the western edge of the NSC's track system, as far from the sarcophagus as possible, to minimize workers' radiation exposure. On 26 November 2012, the completed top section of the arch was raised to allow work on lower sections.{{r|3n121126|sfg121127}} The process was repeated in June 2013. Finally, in April 2014, the completed arch was moved {{convert|112|m|abbr=off}} eastward on its rails to clear the construction area for building the western arch. The construction of the western arch followed a similar process, with completed sections being raised on 4 August 2014 and 12 November 2014. In April 2015, the two arches were welded together, and construction began on the structure's exterior wall. This work was completed in April 2016, finishing the construction of the basic arch structure.thumb|The NSC being prepped for the "slipping" process in October 2016.On 14 November 2016, Novarka began to "slip" the arch structure over the existing sarcophagus.<ref name="BBC move">{{cite news |date=14 November 2016 |title=Chernobyl disaster: Giant shield begins move towards reactor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37978482 |access-date=30 November 2016 |agency=BBC News}}</ref> The arch was pushed across Teflon pads by laser-guided hydraulic pistons. The process took a total of 15 days, with the arch reaching its final location on 29 November 2016.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Unique engineering feat concluded as Chernobyl arch has reached resting place |date=29 November 2016 |publisher=European Bank for Reconstruction and Development |url=http://www.ebrd.com/news/2016/unique-engineering-feat-concluded-as-chernobyl-arch-has-reached-resting-place.html |access-date=30 November 2016}}</ref> <ref name="vinci">{{cite web |date=29 November 2016 |title=Chernobyl New Safe Confinement: a one-of-a-kind project |url=https://www.vinci.com/vinci/actualites.nsf/8B8A50CC6F1891E8C1258079005011BA/$File/VINCI_RV_Dossier_de_presse_Tchernobyl_GB.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425122521/https://www.vinci.com/vinci/actualites.nsf/8B8A50CC6F1891E8C1258079005011BA/$File/VINCI_RV_Dossier_de_presse_Tchernobyl_GB.pdf |archive-date=April 25, 2017 |access-date=2 March 2018 |website=Vinci SA |page=21}}</ref>

==== Subsystem construction and testing ==== With structural construction complete, work began on the NSC's various subsystems, such as the radiation monitoring system, the back-up power supply system, the fire protection system, as well as lighting, communication, and HVAC. However, this work was interrupted in December 2017, when the extremely high level of radiation forced workers to limit their presence at the site. This and other bugs delayed further construction by almost a year.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ukraine postpones Chernobyl reactor safety cover |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/07/c_136806475.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206203326/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/07/c_136806475.htm |archive-date=December 6, 2017 |access-date=20 November 2017 |agency=Xinhua News Agency}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Seidler |first=Christoph |date=2017-12-20 |title=Tschernobyl: Fertigstellung des Sarkophags verzögert sich |url=https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/tschernobyl-fertigstellung-des-sarkophags-verzoegert-sich-a-1184230.html |access-date=2026-04-14 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349}}</ref>

While construction of the NSC itself was on hold, Rodina Consortium - Enerparc AG began construction on the first solar power project to be developed within the Chernobyl exclusion zone. 3,762 solar modules would eventually be installed at the site, with a generation capacity of {{val|1|u=MW}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2017 |title=Rodina begins construction on first PV project inside Chernobyl exclusion zone |url=https://www.pv-tech.org/news/rodina-begins-construction-on-first-pv-project-inside-chernobyl-exclusion-z |access-date=17 November 2017 |website=PV Tech |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-01 |title=На площадке ЧАЭС началось строительство солнечной электростанции |url=https://biz.liga.net/all/tek/novosti/na-ploshchadke-chaes-nachalos-stroitelstvo-solnechnoy-elektrostantsii |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=LIGA.net |language=ru}}</ref>

In late 2018, Novarka announced that construction of the NSC's subsystems had completed, and they would now begin testing their performance. In February 2019, Novarka announced that all major subsystems had passed their individual tests, and the structure as a whole had passed an integrated test.<ref name="WNN">{{cite web |date=8 February 2019 |title=Chernobyl confinement structure systems begin operation – World Nuclear News |url=http://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Chernobyl-confinement-structure-systems-begin-oper |access-date=9 February 2019 |website=world-nuclear-news.org |publisher=World Nuclear Association}}</ref> On 22 April 2019, the NSC began a final 72-hour trial operation test; when it concluded three days later, every system and subsystem passed with flying colors.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Delivery of the Chernobyl New Safe Confinement |url=https://www.vinci.com/vinci.nsf/en/press-releases/pages/20190710-1745.htm |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=VINCI |language=en}}</ref>

==== Completion and opening ceremonies ==== The NSC was officially declared finished in July 2019. On 3 July, journalists were invited to tour the completed structure.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vidal |first=John |date=2019-08-01 |title=What should we do with radioactive nuclear waste? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/01/what-should-we-do-with-radioactive-nuclear-waste |access-date=2019-08-02 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Dedaj |first=Paulina |date=2019-07-03 |title=Chernobyl's $1.7B nuclear confinement shelter revealed after taking 9 years to complete |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/chernobyl-nuclear-confinement-shelter-revealed |access-date=2019-08-02 |language=en-US |agency=Fox News}}</ref> A week later, on 10 July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian government officials attended a ceremony where ownership of the NSC was formally transferred to the Ukrainian government.<ref name=":0" />

=== Russian invasion of Ukraine === {{main|Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant drone strike}}

On 24 February 2022, during the Battle of Kyiv, Russian forces captured Chernobyl.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Chernobyl nuclear plant targeted as Russia invades Ukraine |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/24/chernobyl-nuclear-plant-targeted-as-russia-invades-ukraine |access-date=2022-05-06 |language=en |agency=Al Jazeera}}</ref> The occupation of the plant lasted until 31 March, when Russia was forced to withdraw from Kyiv Oblast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varenytsia |first=Cara Anna and Inna |title=A nuclear risk 'nightmare'? After seizing Chernobyl, Russian troops exposed themselves to radiation. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/ukraine/2022/04/20/russia-chernobyl-ukraine-cold-war/7386241001/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref> While the occupation did cause an increase in radiation in the area, this was due to Russian forces disturbing the soil in the Red Forest and releasing radioactive dust.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-29 |title=Unprotected Russian soldiers disturbed radioactive dust in Chernobyl's 'Red Forest', workers say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/unprotected-russian-soldiers-disturbed-radioactive-dust-chernobyls-red-forest-2022-03-28/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |language=en |agency=Reuters}}</ref> The New Safe Confinement survived the occupation undamaged.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-03 |title=Explained: Why did Russian troops seize control of Chernobyl nuclear disaster site? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-did-russia-capture-chernobyl-power-plant-7791238/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> thumb|Fire on the New Safe Confinement following a drone strike on 14 February 2025. On 14 February 2025, a Russian "Geran-2" attack drone struck the New Safe Confinement, causing significant damage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian drone attack damages Chernobyl nuclear plant’s shelter, Zelensky says |url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/russian-drone-attack-damages-chernobyl-nuclear-plant-s-shelter-zelensky-says-20250214-p5lcbh.html |access-date=2025-02-14 |language=en |via=The Age |agency=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-14 |title=Update 275 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine |url=https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/update-275-iaea-director-general-statement-on-situation-in-ukraine |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=IAEA |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Altman |first=Howard |date=2025-02-14 |title=Hole Blasted By Drone In Chernobyl's Radiation Shield: What We Know |url=https://www.twz.com/news-features/hole-blasted-by-drone-in-chernobyls-radiation-shield-what-we-know |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=The War Zone |language=en-US}}</ref> The power plant released a statement indicating that the outer cladding of the structure had been penetrated and that the inner cladding had been damaged as well, with fires affecting the layer of insulation. The innermost layer of the structure was not breached, because the drone struck the northern garage of the gantry crane, which received structural damage but was not fully penetrated.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/live/kh1n65Cj7-E?t=1547 |title=Chernobyl Has Been Breached. It's Worse Than We Thought. |date=2025-03-02 |last=Hill |first=Kyle |type=Podcast |time=25:47}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tarasova-Markina |first=Daria |title=Russia drone attack hits Chernobyl nuclear plant, radiation levels normal |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/14/europe/russia-ukraine-drones-chernobyl-intl-hnk |access-date=2025-02-14 |language=en-US |agency=CNN}}</ref> Russia denied it was responsible, and the IAEA has not attributed blame to either side.<ref name="wnn-20250214">{{cite news |date=14 February 2025 |title=Chernobyl's protective shelter damaged 'by drone strike' |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/chernobyl-protective-shelter-damaged-by-drone |access-date=16 February 2025 |website=World Nuclear News}}</ref> Early estimates put the cost of repairs at USD$25 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sabbagh |first=Dan |last2=Kochetova |first2=Julia |date=2025-05-07 |title=Russian drone strike caused tens of millions worth of damage to Chornobyl |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/07/russian-drone-strike-caused-tens-of-millions-worth-of-damage-to-chornobyl |access-date=2025-05-08 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In the immediate aftermath of the strike, limited repairs were made to the shelter's roof. Nine months later, an IAEA team arrived to inspect the damage caused by the strike.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-05 |title=Update 331 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine |url=http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/update-331-iaea-director-general-statement-on-situation-in-ukraine |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=www.iaea.org |language=en}}</ref> On 5 December, the organization announced that the New Safe Confinement had "lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability". While the shelter's structural supports and monitoring systems had sustained no permanent damage, the IAEA stressed that more comprehensive restoration would be needed in the near-term future to prevent the structure from degrading any further. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development pledged to provide financial support for the repairs in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-06 |title=Chernobyl radiation shield has stopped working after Russian drone strikes, UN warns |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/chernobyl-radiation-shield-has-stopped-working-after-russian-drone-strikes-un-warns/ |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=POLITICO |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 1 October 2025, the Ukrainian Energy Ministry stated that power to the structure had been cut for three hours due to Russian airstrikes on the neighboring town of Slavutych. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Russians of deliberately trying to create a nuclear incident, as they would have been fully aware that the strikes would endanger the New Safe Confinement's power supply.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 October 2025 |title=Russian shelling cuts power to decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear power plant |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russian-shelling-cuts-power-decommissioned-chernobyl-nuclear-power-plant-2025-10-01/ |access-date=1 October 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref> == Structural design == thumb|upright=2.8|Infographics about the New Safe Confinement The New Safe Confinement design is an arch-shaped steel structure with an internal height of {{convert|92.5|m|1}} and a {{convert|12|m|1|adj=on}} distance between the centers of the upper and lower arch chords. The internal span of the arch is {{convert|245|m|1}}, and the external span is {{convert|270|m|2}}. The dimensions of the arch were determined based on the need to operate equipment inside the new shelter and decommission the existing shelter. The overall length of the structure is {{convert|150|m|1}}, consisting of 13 arches assembled {{convert|12.5|m}} apart to form 12 bays. Vertical walls assembled around, but not supported by, the existing structures of the reactor building seal the ends of the structure.

The arches are constructed of tubular steel members and are externally clad with three-layer sandwich panels. These external panels are also used on the end walls of the structure. Internally, polycarbonate panels cover each arch to prevent the accumulation of radioactive particles on the frame members.

Large parts of the arches were shop-fabricated and transported to the assembly site {{convert|180|m}} west of reactor 4. The steel used in the construction of the tubular members has a yield strength of no less than {{convert|2500|kg/cm2|MPa psi|abbr=on|lk=on}}. <!-- More extensive detail of the structural composition and design of the arches can be found in Section II.B., "Structural Design Process" of [http://www.bechtel.com/assets/files/PDF/BIP/29844.pdf ''Conceptual Design of the Chornobyl New Safe Confinement &mdash; an Overview'']. (In July 2015 I could neither find this nor a similar document on the web anymore.)

The archived version is available here as of May 2018: https://web.archive.org/web/20120709055847/http://www.bechtel.com/assets/files/PDF/BIP/29844.pdf -->

To prevent corrosion of the structure, stainless steel was chosen as the material for the inner and outer walls. An air conditioning system also circulates warm, dry air at 50 Pa between the layers of the panels to further prevent corrosion. Dehumidifiers keep the air below 40% humidity, preventing both condensation and water from dripping into the interior of the structure.<ref name="engin130211" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=New Safe Containment Project Cuts Corrosion Risk at Chernobyl |url=http://www.materialsperformance.com/articles/material-selection-design/2017/02/new-safe-containment-project-cuts-corrosion-risk-at-chernobyl |access-date=2022-05-01 |website=www.materialsperformance.com}}</ref>

===Design goals=== The New Safe Confinement was designed with the following criteria: * Convert the destroyed Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant reactor 4 into an environmentally safe system (i.e., confine the radioactive materials at the site to prevent further environmental contamination). * Reduce corrosion and weathering of the existing shelter and the reactor 4 building. * Mitigate the potential consequences of a collapse of either the existing shelter or the reactor 4 building, particularly in terms of confining the radioactive dust that would be produced by such a collapse. * Enable safe demolition of unstable structures (such as the roof of the existing shelter) by providing remotely operated equipment for their demolition. * Qualify as a nuclear entombment device.

=== Foundation design === The foundations of the New Safe Confinement were designed to meet the primary requirements:

* They must support the weight of the arches of the New Safe Confinement. * They must support rail tracks across which the New Safe Confinement can roll {{convert|180|m}} from the construction site into place over reactor 4. * They must minimize the amount of digging and cutting into the upper layers of the ground, as the upper soil is heavily contaminated with nuclear material from the disaster.

The site of the New Safe Confinement is slightly sloped, ranging in elevation from {{convert|117.5|m}} on the eastern side to {{convert|144|m}} on the western side. The foundation was required to account for this difference without extensive site leveling.

The ground upon which the foundation was built is unique in that it contains a technogenic layer just below the surface that is approximately {{convert|2.5|to|3|m|ft|0}} in overall depth. Radioactive contamination from the accident created the technogenic layer. It consists of various materials including nuclear material, stone, sand, loamy sands, unreinforced concrete, and construction wastes. It is considered unfeasible to determine the geotechnical characteristics of this soil layer. As a result of this, no assumptions about the load-bearing properties of the technogenic layer were made during the design of the foundation.

The water table at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant fluctuates from {{convert|109.9|m|1}} on average in December to {{convert|110.7|m|1}} on average in May.

Several options were considered for the foundation design for the New Safe Confinement. Ultimately, the final design was specified as consisting of three lines of two {{convert|4.50|by|1.00|m|adj=on}} foundation panels, each {{convert|21|m|1}} in length, and a {{convert|4|m|1|adj=on}} high pile cap that reaches to a height of {{convert|118|m}} of elevation. This option was selected to minimize the cost of the foundation, the number of cuts into radioactive soil layers, dose uptake of workers, and risk to the environment from further contamination. The foundation has a slight elevation difference between the area in which the New Safe Confinement was constructed and the final resting area around reactor 4.

Special consideration was necessary for the excavation required for foundation construction due to the high level of radioactivity found in the upper layers of soil. The conceptual designers of the New Safe Confinement recommended the use of rope operated grabs for the first {{convert|0.3|m|1}} of pile excavation for the Chernobyl site. This reduced the direct exposure of workers to the most contaminated sections of the soil. Deeper excavation for the foundation piles were accomplished using hydraulic clam shells operated under bentonite slurry protection.

The foundation is designed to withstand horizontal acceleration structural loads of up to {{val|0.08|u=g}}, as well as to withstand an F3 tornado. The original design for the structure required it to withstand an F1 tornado until an independent beyond-design-basis analysis was carried out to evaluate the effects of an F3 tornado on the structure.

===Assembly process===

thumb|upright=2|A stitched panorama view of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant site in Ukraine, pictures taken in June 2013. Descriptions of the buildings from left to right: First half of the New Safe Confinement (under construction) after second lifting operation (had not yet reached its final height), reactor 4 with existing shelter building and the new and old ventilation shafts, reactor 3, cranes to dismantle the old ventilation shaft, reactor 2, reactor 1.

The system used in the assembly of the New Safe Confinement derived from civilian bridge launching and bridge cantilever methods. The New Safe Confinement was assembled in the following steps: # Stabilization of the Shelter Structure to prevent collapse during construction. # Excavation and construction of the foundation. # Assembly of first and second arches to form Bay 1, installation of east wall on arch 1. # Bay 1 was slid East to accommodate the construction of arch 3 and Bay 2. # Subsequent sliding of the complete structure and adding of arches and bays to complete the structure. # Installation of cranes and large maintenance equipment. # Installation of the west wall. # Final slide into place over reactor 4.<ref name="ebrd.com"/> # Deconstruction of the fragmentation, decontamination, and auxiliary buildings. (planned)

This process of assembly was deemed advantageous because it took advantage of the designed mobility of the structure to maximize the distance between workers and the reactor building, thereby minimizing their exposure to radiation.

As each bay was completed, infrastructure equipment — including that for ventilation systems, radiation monitoring, plumbing, and electrical was installed.

===Positioning=== The New Safe Confinement was constructed {{convert|180|m}} west of reactor 4, and slid into place. Sliding of the structure along foundation rails was a difficult process. It was pushed on Teflon pads by hydraulic pistons, and guided by lasers.{{r|vinci}} {{as of|2018}}, the New Safe Confinement is the world's largest movable land-based structure.<ref name = "nucNet">{{cite web |title=Chernobyl Shelter To Begin Full Operation In December, Says Ukraine President |url=https://www.nucnet.org/all-the-news/2018/04/27/chernobyl-shelter-to-begin-full-operation-in-december-says-ukraine-president |website=www.nucnet.org |date=November 29, 2017 |publisher=The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency |access-date=12 September 2018}}</ref><ref name="BBC move"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170101-a-new-tomb-for-the-most-dangerous-disaster-site-in-the-world |title=A vast new tomb for the most dangerous waste in the world |last=Borys |first=Christian |date=3 January 2017 |website=BBC Future Now |access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref>

Two options were initially considered for moving the structure: hydraulic jacks to push the structure forward, or pulling the structure with large, multi-stranded steel cables. The first option would require the relocation of the hydraulic jacks after each push. This process would necessitate more worker interaction with the system and a greater worker exposure to radiation. The second option was initially chosen because it would expose workers to a lower radiation dose, and would have moved the structure into its final position in less than 24 hours. However, the structure was moved using hydraulic jacks, beginning the {{convert|327|m|adj=on}} move on November 14, 2016, and finishing on November 29.{{r|ebrd.com|BBC move}}

== Demolition of existing structures == The operational phase of the New Safe Confinement involves the demolition of the unstable structures associated with the original Shelter Structure. The goal of demolition has imposed significant requirements upon the load carrying capacity of the arches and foundation of the New Safe Confinement, as these structures must carry the weight of not only the disassembled structure, but also the suspended cranes to be used in demolition.

===Demolition equipment=== The New Safe Confinement design includes two bridge cranes suspended from the arches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chernobyl New Safe Confinement (NSC), Ukraine |url=https://www.power-technology.com/projects/chernobyl-new-safe-confinement-nsc/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Power Technology |language=en-US}}</ref> These cranes travel east to west on common runways and each has a span of {{convert|84|m}}.

Each crane can carry a variety of interchangeable carriages. Three types of carriages have been designed for the New Safe Confinement: *One typical lifting carriage with a {{convert|50|tonne|lk=on|adj=on}} carrying capacity.<ref name=":2" /> *One secure lifting carriage for shielded transportation of personnel, with a {{convert|50|tonne|lk=on|adj=on}} carrying capacity.<ref name=":2" /> *One carriage suspends a mobile tool platform, extending up to {{convert|75|m}}, that can be fitted with a variety of end actuators useful for demolition.

The cranes' carriage interchangeability allows the rotation of the largest members to be demolished, reducing the overall size of the New Safe Confinement by approximately one arch bay.

After the members to be demolished are removed by crane, they must be fragmented into pieces small enough to decontaminate. It is expected that the primary contamination of most demolished elements will be loose surface dust and can easily be removed. Decontamination will take place using vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters, grit blasting (for steel elements), and scarifying (for concrete elements). Once decontaminated to the maximum extent practical, pieces will be further fragmented for eventual disposal. Fragmentation tools include plasma arc cutting torches, diamond circular cutting wheels, and diamond wire cutting. The tools selected for the demolition process were selected based on a number of factors including minimization of individual and collective radiation exposure, the amount of secondary waste generated, the feasibility of remote operation, the cutting efficiency, fire safety, capital cost and operating costs.

The exact methods for disposing of wastes generated by the demolition process have not been determined, and may include on-site burial outside the New Safe Confinement for low-level waste, and long-term storage inside the New Safe Confinement for medium and high-level wastes. {{as of|2018}}, no policy has been decided for the disposal and processing of fuel containing materials.

=== Elements to be demolished === The following elements of the Shelter Structure are planned for demolition: {| class="wikitable" ! Element !! Quantity !! Mass of each<br />(tonnes) !! Length of each<br />(meters) !! Length of each<br />(feet) |- | Southern roof flat panels || 6 || 31 || 28.7 || 94.2 |- | Southern roof flat panels || 6 || 16 || 28.7 || 94.2 |- | Southern hockey stick panels || 12 || 38 || 25.5 || 83.7 |- | Mammoth beam || 1 || 127 || 70 || 229.7 |- | Northern beam B1 || 1 || 65 || 55 || 180.4 |- | Southern beam B1 || 1 || 65 || 55 || 180.4 |- | Northern hockey stick panels || 18 || 9 || 18 || 59.1 |- | Eastern hockey stick panels || 1 || 7.25 || 7 || 23.0 |- | Light roof || 6 || 21 || 36 || 118.1 |- | Piping roof || 27 || 20 || 36 || 118.1 |- | Northern beam B2 || 1 || 57 || 40 || 131.2 |- | Southern beam B2 || 1 || 57 || 40 || 131.2 |- ! Total || 85 || 1944.25 || || |}

=== Types of materials to be demolished === The elements that are to be demolished fall into several broad material types: * Steel ** Flat (roof panels) ** Three-dimensional (pipes, trusses, beams) * Reinforced concrete ** Pre-cast ** Cast in place * Debris ** Fragments of steel structures and equipment ** Fragments of reinforced concrete structures ** Materials added after the Chernobyl accident to mitigate its consequences.

==Waste storage== For the removal and storage of nuclear waste within the New Safe Confinement area, the strategies for removing waste are split into three systems.<ref name=":23">{{Cite book |last1=Lidar |first1=Per |last2=Bergh |first2=Niklas |last3=Larsson |first3=Arne |last4=Hedin |first4=Gunnar |title=Proceedings of the ASME 2013 15th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management. Volume 2: Facility Decontamination and Decommissioning; Environmental Remediation; Environmental Management/Public Involvement/Crosscutting Issues/Global Partnering |chapter=Waste Management Strategy for Cost Effective and Environmentally Friendly NPP Decommissioning |date=2013-09-08 |chapter-url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/icem2013-96006 |publisher=American Society of Mechanical Engineers |doi=10.1115/icem2013-96006|isbn=978-0-7918-5602-4 }}</ref> Disposal of solid nuclear waste had the Vector Radioactive Waste Storage Facility<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.delukr.ec.europa.eu/press_releases.html?id=47113 |title=News |website=Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine |access-date=July 31, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720161210/http://www.delukr.ec.europa.eu/press_releases.html?id=47113 |archive-date=July 20, 2011}}{{better source needed|date=January 2018}}</ref> built near to the Chernobyl site, consisting of the Industrial Complex for Solid Radwaste Management (ICSRM),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nukemgroup.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Chernobyl_Ukraine_Mai2008.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203143731/http://www.nukemgroup.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Chernobyl_Ukraine_Mai2008.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-12-03 |title=Industrial Complex For Solid Radwaste Management (ICSRM) at Chernobyl Nuclear Powerplant |date=May 2008 |website=Nukem Technologies |access-date=31 July 2008}}</ref> a nuclear waste storage site. It is being constructed by Nukem Technologies, a German nuclear decommissioning company, a subsidiary of the Russian Atomstroyexport. This storage is reported to be able to contain {{convert|75000|m3|cuyd|abbr=off}} of material.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Chernobyl-Receives-Nuclear-Waste-Processing-Complex-84344.shtml |title=Chernobyl Receives Nuclear Waste Processing Complex |first=Gabriel |last=Gache |website=Softpedia.com |date=25 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1208978222.51/ |title=Nuclear waste storage inaugurated in Chernobyl |website=EU Business |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724123431/http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1208978222.51/ |archive-date=July 24, 2008}}</ref> The storage is for both temporary high level waste as well as low and intermediate level long-term waste storage.<ref>{{cite conference |url=https://www.eurosafe-forum.org/sites/default/files/Eurosafe2013/Seminar%202/2.07_Safety_Issues_Construction_Facilities_Vector_Site_SSTC_SNRIU_Paper.pdf |last1=Tokarevskyi |first1=O. |last2=Alekseeva |first2=Z. |last3=Kondratiev |first3=S. |last4=Rybalka |first4=N. |date=November 2013 |title=Safety issues in construction of facilities for long-term storage of radioactive waste at Vector site |conference=Eurosafe Forum 2013 |conference-url=https://www.eurosafe-forum.org/eurosafe2013#Seminar_2 |location=Cologne, Germany |id=inis..[https://inis.iaea.org/search/search.aspx?orig_q=RN:45021661 RN:45021661] |access-date=12 January 2018 |archive-date=March 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304172825/https://www.eurosafe-forum.org/sites/default/files/Eurosafe2013/Seminar%202/2.07_Safety_Issues_Construction_Facilities_Vector_Site_SSTC_SNRIU_Paper.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Lee |first1=William E. |last2=Ojovan |first2=Michael I. |last3=Jantzen |first3=Carol M. |title=Radioactive Waste Management and Contaminated Site Clean-Up: Processes, Technologies and International Experience |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0HRHAgAAQBAJ&q=Vector+Radioactive+Waste+Storage+iaea&pg=PA406 |date=31 October 2013 |publisher=Elsevier Science |isbn=978-0-85709-744-6 |pages=404–406}}</ref>

The Plant on Liquid Radwaste Management (PLRWM) was constructed to remove, store, and process liquid nuclear waste from the Chernobyl site.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last1=Semenova |first1=Iryna Y. |last2=Steinberg |first2=Nikolay A. |title=Proceedings of the ASME 2001 8th International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management and Environmental Remediation |chapter=Chernobyl NPP Decommissioning and "Shelter" Object Transformation: Problems of Activity Coordination |date=2001-09-30 |chapter-url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/icem2001-1177 |pages=997–1000 |publisher=American Society of Mechanical Engineers |doi=10.1115/icem2001-1177|isbn=978-0-7918-8017-3 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-02-07 |title=Chernobyl starts tackling its liquid radioactive waste |url=https://bellona.org/news/nuclear-issues/2018-02-chernobyl-starts-tackling-its-liquid-radioactive-waste |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=Bellona.org |language=en-US}}</ref> Processed liquid is turned into solid waste in 200-L barrels where it can then be stored long-term, at a rate of 2,500 cubic meters a year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Татьяна |first=Грива |title=Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant (LRTP) |url=https://chnpp.gov.ua/en/187-projects/completed-projects/436-2010-09-13-07-21-32436 |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=chnpp.gov.ua |language=en-gb}}</ref>

Spent fuel is stored long-term in the Spent Fuel Storage Facility.<ref name=":23"/><ref name=":3" /> 232 storage containers of nuclear waste can be stored in the facility for an expected 100 years.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ukraine authorizes Chernobyl spent fuel storage |url=https://www.ans.org/news/article-2847/on-35th-anniversary-of-the-chernobyl-accident-ukraine-authorizes-spent-fuel-storage/ |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=www.ans.org |language=en}}</ref>

==Worker safety and radioactive exposure== Even with the distance given from the main reactor during construction of the New Safe Confinement, construction workers were still subject to radiation. Before the slippage procedure began, construction workers may only have been able to stay on the site for 30 minutes at a time due to radiation.<ref name="PQ_1776617288">{{Cite web |title=Progress at Chernobyl New Safe Confinement |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1776617288 |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=ProQuest |id={{ProQuest|1776617288}} |language=en}}</ref> The concrete foundation reduced radiation to workers when assembling the structure, and workers were provided decontaminated housing during construction.<ref name="PQ_1776617288"/>

Radioactive dust in the shelter is monitored by hundreds of sensors.<ref name="engin130211" /> Workers in the 'local zone' carry two dosimeters, one showing real-time exposure and the second recording information for the worker's dose log.<ref name="wired130103" /> Workers have a daily and annual radiation exposure limit. Their dosimeter beeps if the limit is reached, and the worker's site access is cancelled.<ref name="wired130103" /> The annual limit (20 millisieverts) may be reached by spending 12 minutes above the roof of the 1986 sarcophagus, or a few hours around its chimney.<ref name="bbc131126" /> Workers are required to also check their radiation exposure before they leave the New Safe Confinement as an additional measurement for safety.<ref>{{Cite web |title=See Chernobyl's Safe Confinement Shelter |url=https://www.bechtel.com/projects/chernobyl-shelter-and-confinement/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Bechtel Corporate |language=en}}</ref>

To minimize radiation to workers when working inside of the New Safe Confinement, many robots and tools are used to interact with objects inside the shelter remotely. The two installed bridge cranes can be operated from within an isolated control room, which allows for demolition to occur without posing risk to any operators.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last1=Parameswaran |first1=N. A. (Vijay) |last2=Chornyy |first2=Igor |last3=Owen |first3=Rob |last4=de Saint Victor |first4=François |title=Proceedings of the ASME 2013 15th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management. Volume 2: Facility Decontamination and Decommissioning; Environmental Remediation; Environmental Management/Public Involvement/Crosscutting Issues/Global Partnering |chapter=Unique and Massive Chernobyl Cranes for Deconstruction Activities in the New Safe Confinement |date=2013-09-08 |chapter-url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/icem2013-96346 |publisher=American Society of Mechanical Engineers |doi=10.1115/icem2013-96346|isbn=978-0-7918-5602-4 }}</ref> For the radiation mapping that occurs within the New Safe Confinement, robots have been deployed in both areas of high contamination where humans cannot enter and replacing routes that operators would normally take.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-23 |title=Boston Dynamics' Spot Is Helping Chernobyl Move Towards Safe Decommissioning |url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/boston-dynamics-spot-chernobyl |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=IEEE Spectrum |language=en |first=Evan |last=Ackerman}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Radiation-mapping robots deployed at Chernobyl |url=https://www.ans.org/news/article-3332/radiationmapping-robots-deployed-at-chernobyl/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Nuclear Newswire |publisher=American Nuclear Society (ANS) |language=en |date=October 13, 2021}}</ref>

Boston Dynamics' Spot model has been implemented in areas of higher radiation to provide detailed radiation mapping without causing additional radiation spikes by minimizing contact points with radiated surfaces.<ref name=":1" /> Without posing risk to workers, the implemented systems were able to look inside reactor 4, deep within the New Safe Confinement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bristol team gains unprecedented access to Chernobyl's Reactor 4 |url=https://www.newswise.com/articles/bristol-team-gains-unprecedented-access-to-chernobyl-s-reactor-4 |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Newswise |language=en |date=7 October 2021 |author=University of Bristol}}</ref>

==Responsible organizations== The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is responsible for managing the Shelter Implementation Plan, including overseeing the construction of the New Safe Confinement.<ref name="OnishiVoitsekhovich2007">{{cite book |last1=Onishi |first1=Yasuo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AKTjYeWO5E0C&pg=PA248 |title=Chernobyl – What Have We Learned?: The Successes and Failures to Mitigate Water Contamination Over 20 Years |last2=Voitsekhovich |first2=Oleg V. |last3=Zheleznyak |first3=Mark J. |date=3 June 2007 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=978-1-4020-5349-8 |page=248}}</ref>

There has been concern that Ukraine, a developing country mired in a decade-long war with its neighbor Russia, would lack sufficient resources to properly maintain the New Safe Confinement on its own. In 2019, Deputy project manager Victor Zalizetskyi stated that "It looks like Ukraine will be left alone to deal with this structure."<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2019 |title=Ukraine will 'struggle' to maintain new Chernobyl shelter |url=https://www.9news.com.au/world/chernobyl-new-shelter-contain-radioactive-debris-inaugurated-news-ukraine/68462cef-bb16-47b3-989d-ed0b63f52231 |website=www.9news.com.au}}</ref>

== See also == * Nuclear and radiation accidents and incidents

==References== ===Notes=== {{Reflist|refs=

<ref name=bbc070918>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6999140.stm |title=Chernobyl to be covered in steel |website=BBC News |date=18 September 2007 |access-date=20 May 2010}}</ref>

<ref name=3n121126>{{cite news |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Workers-raise-first-section-of-new-Chernobyl-shelter/tabid/1160/articleID/278425/Default.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223005245/http://www.3news.co.nz/Workers-raise-first-section-of-new-Chernobyl-shelter/tabid/1160/articleID/278425/Default.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 February 2013 |title=Workers raise first section of new Chernobyl shelter |date=28 November 2012 |work=3 News |agency=Associated Press }}</ref><!-- this may be the same AP piece as ref name=sfg121127 -->

<ref name=sfg121127>{{cite news |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/first-section-new-shelter-chernobyl-ready |title=Workers raise 1st section of new Chernobyl shelter |first=Jim |last=Heintz |agency=Associated Press |date=17 November 2012 |quote=Workers have raised the first section of a colossal arch-shaped structure that eventually will cover the exploded nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl power station. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120100343/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/first-section-new-shelter-chernobyl-ready |archive-date=20 January 2013}}</ref>

<ref name=Chernobylebrd>{{cite web |url=http://www.ebrd.com/pages/news/press/2011/110408e.shtml |title=NOVARKA and Chernobyl Project Management Unit confirm cost and time schedule for Chernobyl New Safe Confinement |website=European Bank for Reconstruction and Development |first=Axel |last=Reiserer |date=8 April 2011 |access-date=16 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918032131/http://www.ebrd.com/pages/news/press/2011/110408e.shtml |archive-date=18 September 2011}}</ref>

<ref name=npd100924>{{cite web |url=http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Work_begins_on_new_sarcophagus_for_Chernobyl_reactor_999.html |title=Work begins on new sarcophagus for Chernobyl reactor |website=Nuclear Power Daily |date=24 September 2010 |access-date=16 March 2011}}</ref>

<ref name=wired130103>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/12/features/containing-chernobyl?page=all |title=Containing Chernobyl: the mission to defuse the world's worst nuclear disaster site |first=Andrew |last=Hankinson |magazine=Wired |date=3 January 2013}}</ref>

<ref name=engin130211>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.theengineer.co.uk/in-depth/the-big-story/building-chernobyls-new-safe-confinement/1015479.article |title=Building Chernobyl's New Safe Confinement |first=John |last=Excell |magazine=The Engineer |date=11 February 2013 |access-date=February 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927123450/http://www.theengineer.co.uk/in-depth/the-big-story/building-chernobyls-new-safe-confinement/1015479.article |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name=bbc131126>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25086097 |title=Chernobyl's arch: Sealing off a radioactive sarcophagus |first=Nick |last=Meo |website=BBC News |date=26 November 2013}}</ref>

}}

===Further reading=== {{refbegin|}} *{{Cite conference|url=http://www.bechtel.com/assets/files/PDF/BIP/29884.pdf|title=Conceptual Design of the Chornobyl New Safe Confinement— An Overview|date=2004|first1=Eric|last1=Schmieman|first2=Matthew|last2=Wrona|first3=Philippe|last3=Convert|first4=Yuriy|last4=Nemchinov|first5=Pascal|last5=Belicard|first6=Michael|last6=Durst|first7=Valery|last7=Kulishenko|first8=Charles|last8=Hogg|conference=Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604055925/http://www.bechtel.com/assets/files/PDF/BIP/29844.pdf|archive-date=4 June 2011|display-authors=2|ref=none}} *{{Cite web|url=http://www.atominfo.org.ua/news/chernobyl_shelter_five_year_plan_june_9.htm|title=Chornobyl: Five-Year Schedule set for New Safe Confinement Over Wrecked Unit|date=9 June 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214194940/http://www.atominfo.org.ua/news/chernobyl_shelter_five_year_plan_june_9.htm|archive-date=14 February 2008}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060212025937/http://new.chnpp.gov.ua/eng/articles.php?lng=en&pg=80 ''Project Implementation Phase 2''] from ''Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant'' *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060513195855/http://www.ebrd.com/projects/psd/psd1998/4807.htm ''SIP Project Summary Document''] from ''The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development'' {{refend}}

== External links == {{Commons category|Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant New Safe Confinement}} *[https://www.chnpp.gov.ua/ua/ Official website: Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant] *[http://www.chornobyl.in.ua/en/nsc.htm Description of the New Safe Confinement. Design of the new protective shield under Sarcophagus.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127025751/http://chornobyl.in.ua/en/nsc.htm |date=January 27, 2009 }} *{{YouTube|F9URUQvGE9g|Chernobyl 25 years on}} European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Computer rendered video of the construction process, Novarka, October 2009 archived at [http://ghostarchive.org/varchive/F9URUQvGE9g Ghostarchive.org] on 6 May 2022 *[http://www.cbsnews.com/news/chernobyl-the-catastrophe-that-never-ended/ November 2014, Chernobyl Story on CBS 60 Minutes] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160114120420/http://chnpp.gov.ua/en/construction-online New Safe Confinement site live camera] * {{YouTube |dH1bv9fAxiY |Unique engineering feat concluded as Chernobyl arch has reached resting place}} showing of New Safe Confinement being slid into position, 14–29 November 2016, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development channel archived at [http://ghostarchive.org/varchive/dH1bv9fAxiY Ghostarchive.org] on 6 May 2022

{{Chernobyl disaster}}

Category:2019 establishments in Ukraine Category:Buildings and structures completed in 2019 Category:Buildings and structures in Pripyat Category:Chernobyl exclusion zone Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 2019 Category:Nuclear safety and security