Category
Latest news

Russian Drone Strike on Chernobyl Dome May Cost Over €25 Million in Damages

2 min read
Authors
Photo of Lucile Brizard
Lucile Brizard
Author
Russian Drone Strike on Chernobyl Dome May Cost Over €25 Million in Damages
Rescuers work at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Kyiv region, Ukraine, on January 14, 2025, after a Russian attack drone with an explosive warhead struck the New Safe Confinement, which has protected the remains of Reactor 4 since its installatio

A Russian Shahed drone strike in February 2025 has caused tens of millions of dollars in damage to the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, according to initial assessments.

According to The Guardian report on May 7, the attack hit the €1.5 billion containment structure built in 2017, which secures reactor number four, the site of the 1986 disaster.

Estimates show that repairs will cost more than the €25 million available in an international contingency fund, with Western governments, including the UK, likely to cover the additional costs.

While the attack did not cause immediate radiological risks, it severely damaged the structure, leaving it vulnerable to the elements and compromising its long-term stability.

The 110-meter-high steel New Safe Confinement was punctured, and a fire caused significant damage, taking over two weeks to extinguish. The impact has exposed the sarcophagus to potential contamination, raising concerns about radioactive dust escaping and rainwater entering.

The structure’s durability, designed to last for 100 years, is now in question without repairs. According to Eric Schmieman, an engineer who worked on the shelter, repairs could cost tens to hundreds of millions of dollars and may take years.

The attack has also compromised the decommissioning process of the site, which houses highly radioactive materials. A detailed impact assessment is expected in May, with sources indicating the damage is substantial.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which funded the shelter’s construction, acknowledged that additional funding will be required for long-term repairs and decommissioning efforts, according to The Guardian.

The attack is suspected to have been intentionally carried out by Russian forces, with Ukrainian prosecutors suggesting it may qualify as a war crime. The Russian government, however, has blamed Ukraine for the incident, calling it a provocation.

The Chornobyl site, located near the Belarusian border, has been a key point of contention during the war. Russian forces occupied the plant in early 2022 but were pushed out by Ukrainian forces.

The area remains a military zone, complicating efforts for cleanup and decommissioning. Ukrainian officials have indicated that temporary measures will be taken to seal the hole in the shelter, but full repairs will require significant time and resources.

In related news, Belarus has completed a modernization of Soviet-designed S-125 surface-to-air missile systems for Cuba, mounting them onto T-55 tank chassis. The Belarusian State Military-Industrial Committee revealed the development in early May, along with photos of the modified launchers undergoing test firings.

See all