Nov. 10 — The French government has pledged €40 million($46 million) to repair the protective shield above the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine that was damaged by a Russian drone, said Benjamin Haddad, French minister for Europe.  

Haddad said that France and Ukraine, along with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) were working for restoration of protective structure, also known as New Safe Confinement, which covers the destroyed fourth reactor of the nuclear plant. 

On Feb. 14, 2025, Russia severely damaged Chornobyl’s protective shelter. The airstrike breached the structure’s protective cladding, damaging critical systems enclosing radioactive material and enabling dismantling of the original shelter built after 1986. 

He also added that international donors have allocated more than €278 million (about $311 million) for repairs, including France’s contribution. This initiative was launched under the French presidency of the Group of Seven (G7). 

Paris’s contribution includes €10 million ($11 million) previously allocated for preliminary studies and an additional €30 million ($33 million) announced later. 

According to EBRD estimations, at least  €500 million (about $560 million) will be needed to fully restore the shelter over the Chornobyl nuclear plant.  

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