UK To Provide $22.5 Million For Repairs To Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant’s Confinement Structure

The United Kingdom has pledged £17 million ($22.5 million) to help repair the protective confinement structure at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was damaged by a Russian drone attack last year, the British government announced. The funding will cover repairs to the shelter covering the destroyed fourth reactor and the plant's ventilation systems, extending the confinement system's service life.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband emphasized the UK's support for Ukraine, stating that the assistance demonstrated London's commitment to holding Russia accountable for its aggression. The New Safe Confinement, built to protect the remains of the fourth reactor from the 1986 disaster, requires repairs to maintain its safety and protective functions.

Since Russia's invasion, the UK has provided Ukraine with nearly £25 billion in support and imposed sanctions on more than 3,500 Russian entities. The funding comes after a meeting between British Prime Minister Andrew Burnham and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which Burnham reaffirmed the UK's commitment and announced plans to speed up the delivery of air defense systems.