The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is actively negotiating with international partners to raise approximately €500 million ($585 million) for emergency repairs to the New Safe Confinement (NSC) of the Chernobyl NPP. The safety arch was severely damaged by a Russian drone attack.
This was reported by the Kyiv Post, citing information shared via Dengi.ua .
"We are already negotiating with a number of partners to raise the necessary funds and launch a separate project to address this problem," said Matteo Patrone, EBRD Managing Director.
How the Drone Attack Damaged the Chernobyl NSC
In February 2025, a Russian drone equipped with a high-explosive warhead struck the roof of the New Safe Confinement. The consequences were extensive:
- Structural Penetration: Approximately 330 puncture holes were formed in the roof.
- Cladding Breach: A breach measuring roughly 15 square meters occurred in the internal and external cladding.
- Protective Panels: Approximately 200 square meters of protective panels were damaged.
- System Failure: Critical subsystems were disabled, including ventilation, climate control, and internal crane mechanisms.
- Containment Compromise: The structural integrity of the confinement was breached.
While IAEA specialists confirmed there was no immediate spike in radiation levels following the strike, the agency issued a stern warning: the engineering structure had lost its primary safety function—the ability to reliably contain radioactive materials within the unit.
Why the Damage is Critical
According to Matteo Patrone, these breaches create a high risk of accelerated corrosion, which could jeopardize the stability of the entire system. The initial construction cost of this unique containment structure was €2.1 billion ($2.5 billion).
"There is a risk of increasing corrosion of the system, which may eventually lead to its complete destruction if the problem is not addressed in a timely manner," emphasized the EBRD executive.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that repair work inside the NSC is extremely difficult due to the hazardous radiological environment. Moreover, the ongoing war creates a constant risk of repeated air strikes on the facility. "The cost of performing this work, given its extreme danger, is particularly high," Patrone added.
About the New Safe Confinement
The NSC is a massive steel arch weighing 36,000 tons, completed in 2019. Its dimensions are substantial:
- span - 257 meters;
- height - 110 meters (comparable to a 35-storey building);
- length - 165 meters (about one and a half soccer fields).
The complex facility houses 19 subsystems, including heavy-duty overhead cranes, ventilation units, decontamination and waste treatment facilities, and continuous radiation monitoring sensors. It was specifically designed to isolate the remnants of the destroyed Reactor No. 4 for the next 100 years. Primary construction was led by the EBRD with financial support from the European Commission and 45 donor countries. Restoration of the arch’s airtight seal is currently targeted for completion by 2030.
