Germany to provide €50 million to restore Chornobyl protective structure
Germany will provide €50 million to help restore the New Safe Confinement at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was damaged by a Russian drone strike in February 2025, Ukraine's Energy Ministry said on Aug. 20.
The funding was agreed during a visit by a German delegation to the plant, according to Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal. The money will be transferred to the International Chernobyl Cooperation Account.
“Restoring the confinement is extremely important for ensuring the nuclear safety of Ukraine and all of Europe,” Shmyhal said.
During the visit, the German delegation inspected the damaged structure and other infrastructure at the Chornobyl site.
The New Safe Confinement is the massive steel structure built over the remains of Reactor No. 4, which was destroyed in the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear disaster.
A Russian drone carrying a high-explosive warhead struck the confinement in February 2025, damaging both its outer and inner layers and causing a fire.
The strike also damaged equipment and affected ventilation and power systems at the structure. IAEA confirmed at the time that radiation levels remained within normal limits.
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