Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Secures €30 Million Grant to Repair Arch Damaged in Russian Strike

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Receives Major Grant

According to Главком: The state-owned enterprise 'Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant' has been awarded a €30 million grant from the Contributor Assembly of the International Cooperation Account for Chernobyl. These funds will be used for restoration work on the New Safe Confinement Arch, which was damaged by a Russian drone attack on February 14, 2025. The Contributor Assembly has initiated a new grant agreement that also includes support for licensing and client engineer services.

On February 14, 2025, Russia directly struck the New Safe Confinement Arch with a combat unmanned aerial vehicle. This attack compromised the protective shell's integrity and disabled its anti-corrosion system. Critical systems and equipment were also affected. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the loss of the Arch's functionality during a special mission in November 2025.

Restoration Plans and International Backing

Serhiy Tarakanov, Director General of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, stated that the grant will fund additional engineering studies, a detailed inspection of the damaged areas, and corrosion monitoring. Planned measures include:

• Developing repair designs
• Procuring necessary equipment and materials in advance

The Contributor Assembly meeting, where the new grant agreement was initiated, took place in the United Kingdom in early April.

It is important to note that on June 5, 2024, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified a framework agreement between Ukraine and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which also supports the restoration of Chernobyl's infrastructure. In 2026, the world will mark the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, which occurred on April 26, 1986, at 01:23. The explosion in reactor unit four destroyed part of the reactor, leading to one of the largest man-made catastrophes in history.

This grant from the Contributor Assembly represents a significant step in restoring the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant following the recent attack, underscoring international support for Ukraine's efforts to ensure nuclear facility safety. The planned measures will not only address the damage but also enhance safety at the plant, which is critically important ahead of the anniversary commemorations for the 1986 disaster.

As international support for Chernobyl's restoration efforts continues to grow, recent pledges from global donors highlight the ongoing commitment to repair and enhance the site's safety measures. For more details on the contributions aimed at revitalizing the shelter, refer to the article on international donations for Chernobyl repairs.