The Ukrainian government has allocated over ₴1.5 billion ($39 million) to strengthen security at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) after a Russian drone strike hit the facility on February 14.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced the decision during a government meeting, saying the attack was meant to intimidate Ukraine, Europe, and the world.
He assured that while there is no immediate radiation risk, work is underway to repair the damage and prevent further threats.
The new funding adds ₴139 million to last year’s budget for Chernobyl security. This comes after Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed that a Russian Shahed-type kamikaze drone hit the shelter covering Reactor 4, the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster.
The attack has raised alarms among international experts. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi called it a "very serious incident", warning that Ukraine’s nuclear safety remains at great risk.
Chernobyl Chief Engineer Oleksandr Tytarchuk said the strike could lead to radioactive leaks under certain conditions. Ukraine has urged the IAEA and global partners to act quickly to prevent future attacks on nuclear sites.
Russia Targeting Ukraine’s Energy Grid
Beyond Chernobyl, Russia is also attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. A recent strike on a Mykolaiv thermal power plant left over 100,000 people without heat in freezing temperatures.
Despite the damage, Ukrainian energy workers restored heat to affected areas, and the government is working to secure enough gas supplies to get through winter.
Meanwhile, firefighters returned to Chernobyl on February 17 after discovering new smoldering areas in the New Safe Confinement, a massive steel structure built to contain radiation from Reactor 4.
