US pledges up to $100M to repair Chernobyl containment system

The United States on Wednesday announced plans to provide up to $100 million to help repair and secure containment systems at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.

The State Department said the funding will come from available foreign assistance as part of coordinated G7 efforts.

The support is aimed at ensuring the continued containment of fissile nuclear material following damage to the New Safe Confinement (NSC) arch.

According to the department, the structure -- designed to last around a century -- was damaged by a drone strike last year during the Russia-Ukraine war.

Without repairs, officials warned, the arch may no longer provide sufficient protection, raising the risk of a potential release of highly radioactive material in Europe.

Washington said it will cover about 20% of the estimated $500 million total cost of the rehabilitation project.

“We call upon our G7 and European partners to follow suit and make substantial financial commitments to share the burden of these essential repairs,” the department said.

The pledge follows a $35 million agreement between Kyiv and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the initial phase of restoration.