G7 pledges 260 million euros to repair Chernobyl confinement damaged by Russian drone strike
G7 countries announced 260 million euros for urgent repairs to the New Safe Confinement at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, damaged by a Russian drone strike in February 2025. The EBRD estimates full repairs will require at least 500 million euros, with work needing to be completed by 2030 to preserve the structure's 100-year design lifespan. A donor conference co-organized by France, Ukraine and the EBRD is scheduled for November 9, 2026, in Paris.
Key points
- G7 countries will allocate 260 million euros for urgent repairs to the Chernobyl New Safe Confinement.
- The damage was caused by a Russian drone strike in February 2025, according to Ukraine; Russia denies responsibility.
- The EBRD estimates at least 500 million euros is needed to fully repair and restore the structure.
- Repairs must be completed by 2030 to prevent corrosion of the steel arch and preserve its 100-year operational lifespan.
- A donor conference organized by France, Ukraine and the EBRD is scheduled for November 9, 2026, in Paris.
- The G7 members named are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
- The announcement was made during the IMF and World Bank autumn meetings in Bangkok, following a G7 finance ministers' meeting.
Why it matters
The New Safe Confinement encases the remains of the 1986 reactor disaster and is designed to last a century. Without timely repairs, corrosion of the steel arch could compromise containment integrity and undermine decades of international investment, with potential long-term environmental and safety risks across Europe. The 260 million euros pledged covers roughly half of the estimated 500 million euros needed, and the November 9 donor conference in Paris will determine whether the remaining gap can be closed.
What happened
G7 finance ministers announced, during the IMF and World Bank autumn meetings in Bangkok, that member states will collectively provide 260 million euros for urgent repairs to the New Safe Confinement at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The structure was damaged in February 2025 by what Ukraine says was a Russian drone carrying a high-explosive warhead, which caused a fire, breached the protective arch and damaged outer and inner shells, lifting equipment, ventilation and power supply systems. The EBRD estimates at least 500 million euros is required to fully restore functionality, with work needing to be finished by 2030 to prevent corrosion and preserve the structure's 100-year design lifespan. A donor conference co-organized by France, Ukraine and the EBRD is scheduled for November 9, 2026, in Paris to coordinate further international support. The G7 members cited are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Where reporting differs
Sources diverge on responsibility for the February 2025 strike. Ukrainian outlets report that a Russian drone carrying a high-explosive warhead hit the confinement, causing fire and structural breach. The Kremlin denies responsibility and claims Ukraine staged the incident to derail ongoing peace negotiations.
Background
The fourth reactor at Chernobyl exploded in 1986 in the world's worst nuclear disaster. The New Safe Confinement, completed in 2019 at a cost of $2.5 billion, encases the original sarcophagus and enables its safe dismantling. In December 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that the arch lost its main safety functions, including the ability to contain radioactive substances, though support structures and monitoring systems remained intact. In March 2025, 400,000 euros were allocated to study the damage; in April 2026 Ukraine signed an agreement opening a special account for restoration; and in August 2026 Germany announced up to 50 million euros in assistance. Norway separately pledged over 9 million euros. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the UK has provided Ukraine with nearly 25 billion pounds in total support.