G7 countries allocate 260 million euros to restore Chernobyl nuclear power plant protective structure
The Group of Seven (G7) countries have announced their intention to allocate 260 million euros for the restoration of the protective structure of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant damaged by a Russian strike. The funds are intended for urgent repairs to the New Safe Confinement, which covers the destroyed fourth power unit of the Chernobyl NPP.
This was announced on October 16 by Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal on social network X. The corresponding agreements were also confirmed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The decision to provide funding was announced after a meeting of G7 finance ministers in Bangkok, held on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The Group of Seven countries expressed concern about nuclear safety risks arising from the Russian strike on the Chernobyl NPP and agreed to mobilize funds for the restoration of the protective structure.
Repairs to Chernobyl NPP require at least 500 million euros
According to preliminary estimates by the EBRD, the complete restoration of the New Safe Confinement will cost at least 500 million euros.
Thus, the 260 million euros announced by the G7 countries constitute slightly more than half of the minimum estimated repair cost.
The Bank stressed that additional international funding is needed to complete the restoration. At the same time, Ukraine's partners have previously announced individual contributions for the restoration work.
The next stage of funding negotiations will take place on November 9, 2026, in Paris. An international donor conference is scheduled there under the joint chairmanship of France, Ukraine and the EBRD.
EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso thanked the G7 countries for their support for nuclear safety and called on other international partners to join the financing of the restoration work.
According to the Bank's estimates, the full operational capability of the protective structure must be restored by 2030. This will limit the risk of corrosion of the steel arch and preserve the structure's designed service life of at least 100 years.
Consequences of the Russian strike on the Chernobyl NPP
The New Safe Confinement was seriously damaged on February 14, 2025, when a Russian combat drone hit the protective structure above the fourth power unit of the Chernobyl NPP.
The attack damaged the outer and inner protective layers of the structure, as well as equipment necessary for its safe operation.
According to the EBRD, the strike created a hole of about 15 square meters. The total area of damaged panels was approximately 200 square meters.
In addition, the ventilation and climate control systems and internal crane equipment were damaged.
The damage has impaired the two main functions of the confinement: preventing the release of radioactive substances into the environment and ensuring the safe dismantling of the old sarcophagus.
After the attack, radiation levels, according to plant monitoring data, remained within acceptable limits. However, the damage to the protective structure created serious technical risks for its further operation.
Restoration has already begun
Ukraine's international partners have earlier begun preparations for the restoration of the confinement.
In April 2026, Ukraine and the EBRD signed a grant agreement for 30 million euros for the first phase of the work.
In September, the Chernobyl NPP signed a contract with the NOVARKA 2 consortium for initial engineering activities necessary for the further repair of the structure.
The EBRD coordinates international assistance and interacts with the Ukrainian government, the management of the Chernobyl NPP and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Bank has been involved in international programmes to ensure the safety of Chernobyl since 1995. During this time, it has helped mobilise more than 2.5 billion euros in international contributions, and the EBRD's own funding for nuclear safety and decommissioning projects has exceeded 700 million euros.
The new commitment by the G7 countries should provide a significant portion of the funds for the restoration of the confinement. The final amount of funding and the distribution of contributions among donors will be clarified as the international programme is implemented.
Based on materials from: Denys Shmyhal, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, EBRD — Chernobyl NPP restoration programme.