Britain pledges £17 million to repair Chernobyl power plant hit by Russian drone strike
Britain will provide £17 million for essential repairs at the Chernobyl nuclear site after a Russian drone strike damaged its protective shelter and ventilation systems. The funding is intended to address safety and environmental concerns, including the risk of corrosion, and forms part of a wider international reconstruction effort.
The pledge was announced during talks between the Prime Minister and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, as the UK sought to reaffirm its support for Ukraine. Britain also said it would speed up deliveries of lightweight air-defence missiles, while the repair programme is being coordinated with Ukraine, G7 donors and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
- UK pledges £17 million for Chernobyl repairs.
- A drone strike damaged the site’s shelter and ventilation.
- Britain also plans faster air-defence missile deliveries.
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Chernobyl is the site of a nuclear power station in northern Ukraine, where a reactor exploded in 1986 and released radioactive material. A large protective shelter was later built over the damaged reactor to contain radioactive dust and reduce risks to people and the environment.
The site remains under Ukrainian control and needs ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Its shelter and ventilation systems help protect the area, while damage or corrosion could make that work harder. Ukraine, international donors and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are involved in efforts to maintain and repair the site.