United Kingdom has committed £17 million to repair the damaged protective shelter at Ukraine’s Chornobyl nuclear power plant, as continued Russian attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure raise concerns about nuclear safety and the resilience of critical facilities.
The funding, announced by Chancellor John Healey and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, will support essential repairs to the structure damaged by a Russian drone strike last year, helping restore its confinement and ventilation functions and preserve its intended lifespan.
The contribution will form part of an international programme coordinated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in collaboration with the Ukrainian government and G7 donors.
The £17 million contribution will finance critical work to restore the protective shelter at Chornobyl, the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster, which remains a major focus of international nuclear safety efforts.
The shelter was damaged during a Russian drone strike last year, raising concerns about the long-term integrity of the structure designed to contain radioactive material and protect the surrounding environment.
According to the UK government, the repairs will restore the shelter’s confinement and ventilation functions while safeguarding its intended operational lifespan. Without timely intervention, corrosion could compromise the structure and increase environmental and safety risks.
The funding builds on Britain’s longstanding involvement in international efforts to maintain nuclear safety at Chornobyl.
UK was a founding donor to the International Chornobyl Cooperation Account (ICCA) in 2020, when the account took over responsibility for safety at the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.
Britain has contributed €8 million to the account, making it the third-largest individual donor after Norway and France. The latest pledge will add to that support as Ukraine continues to address the consequences of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
According to Chancellor John Healey, the funding reflected Britain’s continued commitment to Ukraine and its recovery despite the ongoing conflict.
“As the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Putin continues, our commitment to the Ukrainian people is unshakeable. We are curtailing the war chest funding Putin so desperately wants and backing the reconstruction of Ukraine that has suffered at the hands of his barbaric attacks.”
John Healey
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband also reaffirmed Britain’s support for Kyiv, emphasising cooperation with international allies to strengthen Ukraine’s security and increase the costs of Russian aggression.
“Our message to Putin is clear: we stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and will do so until they prevail. Working with our allies, we are strengthening Ukraine’s security, raising the cost of Russia’s aggression and working towards a just and lasting peace.”
Ed Miliband
Russian Strikes Leave 600,000 Ukrainians Without Power
The funding announcement comes as Russian forces continue to target Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure, alongside oil and gas facilities, placing additional pressure on the country’s energy system.
According to figures released by the UK government, Russia carried out more than 200 strikes on electricity infrastructure between October 5 and 11, 2026, alongside another 17 attacks on oil and gas facilities.
The government also reported six energy-related attacks since US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on Sunday, October 11.
On October 13, Russia launched a ballistic missile attack involving 39 missiles, which the UK described as one of the largest such attacks to date. Much of the attack targeted energy infrastructure, leaving approximately 600,000 civilians without electricity.
The continuing strikes have heightened concerns about the vulnerability of essential infrastructure as Ukraine approaches the winter period, when reliable electricity and heating are particularly important for households and public services.
The Chornobyl repairs therefore form part of a broader effort to address the consequences of the war, combining immediate energy support with longer-term investment in critical infrastructure and nuclear safety.
Britain has also continued to provide assistance aimed at helping Ukrainians withstand winter conditions. During his first visit to Kyiv since taking office, Miliband announced £54 million in winter support, including £20 million for energy assistance to help maintain electricity supplies and keep homes warm.
The latest commitment follows a meeting between Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Downing Street, where the British government reiterated its support for Kyiv amid continuing Russian attacks.
During the meeting, Burnham also confirmed that Britain would accelerate deliveries of essential air defence missiles to Ukraine as Russian forces continued their bombardment.
Britain Expands Support for Ukraine Through Aid and Sanctions
Also, the Chornobyl funding forms part of Britain’s wider financial, diplomatic and security assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
UK government disclosed that it had provided almost £25 billion in total support to Ukraine, including more than £770 million in energy funding. The assistance covers efforts to strengthen the country’s resilience, protect essential infrastructure and support reconstruction.
Britain has also expanded economic pressure on Moscow through its Russia sanctions regime, targeting more than 3,500 individuals, entities and ships. More than 3,300 of those sanctions were imposed after the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
The latest financial commitment also comes amid continuing efforts by Western governments to maintain a coordinated response to the war. Through cooperation with the Ukrainian government, the EBRD, and G7 donors, Britain is seeking to ensure that the damage to Chornobyl’s protective systems is addressed before deterioration creates further risks.
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