Norway has announced a financial commitment of 100 million Norwegian kroner, approximately €9.1 million, to restore the protective shelter over the fourth reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. This decision follows damage caused by a Russian drone strike.
The funding will be channeled through the International Chornobyl Cooperation Account (ICCA), managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The announcement was made by State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson during his visit to Kyiv, where he also referenced a recent incident on June 7, when a storage facility for spent nuclear fuel in the Chernobyl zone was struck.
Petersson emphasized the broader implications of such attacks, stating, “These attacks also pose a threat to European and international security. Norway will work to reduce the risk of radioactive emissions and ensure that Chernobyl continues to be operated safely.”
In April, the United States expressed its willingness to contribute up to $100 million as part of a collaborative effort among the G7 nations for the repair of the new shelter at Chernobyl. Additionally, the European Union has called on Russia to cease attacks on nuclear facilities in Ukraine, particularly as the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster approaches.
Norway's financial support aims to restore the damaged protective structure at Chernobyl, highlighting international concerns over nuclear safety amid ongoing conflicts. This initiative is part of broader efforts by multiple nations to ensure the secure operation of the site.