International donors have announced the allocation of €303 million for the restoration of the New Safe Confinement at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station, which was damaged by a Russian drone. Fourteen countries and international organisations made financial commitments during a conference in Paris on 9 November 2026. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced the results of the meeting on 10 November. The total cost of the repairs is provisionally estimated at at least €500 million.
- 14 countries and international organisations have pledged €303 million for the restoration of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station’s protective structure.
- The total funding required for the repairs amounts to at least €500 million.
- The shelter was damaged by a Russian drone on 14 February 2025.
- The main restoration work is scheduled to begin in 2028.
- The plan is to fully restore the containment’s functionality by the end of 2030.
Who is providing the funding for the restoration of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station?
The donor conference was organised by the governments of Ukraine and France in conjunction with The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Representatives from 34 countries and international organisations took part in it.
The financial support was announced European Union, Canada, Germany, France, the USA, the UK, Norway, Switzerland, Lithuania, Austria, Estonia and other partners.
Greece, Moldova and the Netherlands have stated that they will determine their own contributions in the coming months.
Funds will be paid into the International Cooperation Account for Chernobyl (ICCA), which is managed by the EBRD.
According to the French Minister for the Economy, Roland Lescure, international partners expect to raise the necessary funds by spring 2027.
At the same time, the €303 million announced represents financial commitments from donors, rather than a confirmed amount of funds that have already been transferred.
What is known about the damage to the shelter following the Russian Federation’s attack
On 14 February 2025, a Russian drone struck the New Safe Confinement — the protective arch erected over the destroyed fourth power unit of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station.
According to the results of the technical inspection, the impact damaged approximately 200 square metres of panels. A hole measuring around 15 square metres was created in the outer shell.
The EBRD emphasises that the attack compromised two key functions of the facility: the containment of radioactive materials and the safe dismantling of the old sarcophagus.
Damage also poses a long-term risk of corrosion to steel structures. This is precisely why international experts insist on the complete restoration of the protective coating.
Construction of the new containment was completed in 2019. Its construction was funded by an international coalition of donors, which raised €1.61 billion.
When will the restoration of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station be completed?
First Deputy Prime Minister — Minister for Energy of Ukraine Denis Shmygal He stated that approximately €500 million is required to fully restore the containment’s functionality.
Temporary repair work is currently being carried out at the station. In March 2026, donors approved up to €30 million for initial engineering work and procurement.
The main phase of the restoration is scheduled for early 2028. The work is due to be completed by the end of 2030.
The exact cost of the repairs will be determined once the engineering studies have been completed, which is expected to be by the end of 2027.
Shmyhal also stated that Ukraine would work with international partners on the possibility of financing the reconstruction using Russian assets. However, no specific mechanism for such compensation has yet been announced.
As at 10 November 2026, international partners had confirmed their commitment to provide €303 million. This amount does not yet cover all projected costs. The EBRD anticipates further contributions, and the final budget for the refurbishment will be finalised during the preparatory work.
