Britain is providing £17 million in new support for repairs to the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, as announced by the Chancellor and Foreign Secretary today. The plant's protective shelter was damaged by a Russian drone strike last year.
This UK support will contribute to an international programme coordinated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, working with the Government of Ukraine and G7 donors. The funding is intended to facilitate crucial repairs to restore the structure’s confinement and ventilation functions and protect its intended lifespan.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey MP, stated that the UK's commitment to the Ukrainian people is unshakeable. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband added that the UK stands with Ukraine to strengthen its security and raise the cost of Russia’s aggression.
The UK has a history of supporting nuclear safety at Chornobyl, having been a founding donor to the International Chornobyl Cooperation Account (ICCA) in 2020. The UK's total donations to the ICCA amount to €8 million, making it the third-largest individual donor.