A new project will be financed under Grant Agreement No.5 signed between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP). The project aims to assess the damage and develop a plan of emergency repair activities for the New Safe Confinement (NSC) outer cladding and sealing membrane following the Russian drone strike of 14 February 2025.

The initial phase of the project will include surveys and assessment of the technical condition of the damaged primary and secondary steel structures of the NSC at the site of the explosion. It will also involve inspection of the damaged cladding, identification of gaps between the NSC’s end walls and foundations, and assessment of the reinforced concrete structures forming the NSC’s enclosing perimeter. This stage will also include the development of technical solutions for implementing urgent temporary repairs of the damaged cladding sections and sealing the identified gaps.

Subsequently, a detailed work execution plan will be developed for carrying out the identified emergency repair measures.

Background

Completed in 2019, the New Safe Confinement (NSC) was constructed to enclose the old Sarcophagus covering the destroyed Unit 4 reactor. It performs two key functions: serving as a barrier between the Sarcophagus and the environment, and enabling the safe dismantling of both the Sarcophagus and the remains of Reactor 4. On 14 February 2025, the NSC was struck by a Russian drone, significantly impairing its functionality.