Compensation for Chernobyl Disaster Victims
Ahead of the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the city of Kyiv is allocating over 53 million hryvnias for one-time payments to more than 42,000 residents affected by the catastrophe. The payments are being made under a mayoral order as part of the city's targeted program 'Care. Towards Kyiv Residents.' The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident occurred on April 26, 1986, at 01:23, and remains one of the worst nuclear disasters in history.
One-Time Targeted Financial Assistance
The program provides targeted one-time financial aid to several categories of victims. Specifically:
- Individuals with a Group I disability linked to the Chernobyl disaster will receive 2,500 hryvnias;
- Children with disabilities, orphans who lost both parents due to the disaster, and children who lost one parent will receive 1,500 hryvnias;
- Individuals with Group II and III disabilities linked to the Chernobyl disaster will receive 1,200 hryvnias;
- Spouses of deceased participants in the accident's liquidation efforts will receive a one-time payment of 1,000 hryvnias.
The legacy of the Chernobyl accident continues to pose significant challenges. On the first day of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russian forces occupied the Chernobyl NPP for five weeks. According to the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management (SAUEZM), damages from the occupiers' actions exceeded 100 million euros. In February 2025, a Russian drone attack increased risks to the structures of the old shelter, causing the New Safe Confinement (NSC) to partially lose its airtightness due to hostile shelling. Work is currently underway to restore the NSC's seal, and fortunately, no release of radioactive substances beyond permissible norms has been detected.
Thus, Kyiv continues to support those affected by the Chernobyl disaster while confronting new security threats stemming from the ongoing war. The payments for the 40th anniversary underscore the state's commitment to those who suffered from this tragedy and highlight the critical importance of safety in the exclusion zone, which remains under threat from military actions. This demonstrates the ongoing need for measures to protect the population and the environment amid contemporary challenges.
In light of the ongoing support for Chernobyl victims, a recent proposal from the special parliamentary commission aims to introduce new pension schemes and benefits for those affected by the disaster. This initiative highlights the government's commitment to improving the lives of individuals impacted by the tragedy, complementing the city's financial assistance efforts.