The UK government will provide Ukraine with £17 million ($22.5 million) to finance critical repairs to the protective confinement structure at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was damaged in a Russian drone attack last year.
According to the UK government's press service, the funding was announced on October 14 by the Chancellor and the Foreign Secretary.
"Britain is funding £17m in new support for repairs to the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, the Chancellor and Foreign Secretary have announced today. The protective shelter of the plant was damaged by a Russian drone strike last year, and UK support will form part of an international programme coordinated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, working alongside the Government of Ukraine and G7 donors," the statement said.
The funding will support essential repairs to restore the protective structure covering the destroyed fourth reactor of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, repair the facility's ventilation systems and extend the operational lifespan of the confinement structure.
"Our message to Putin is clear – we stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and will do so until they prevail. Working with our allies, we are strengthening Ukraine’s security, raising the cost of Russia’s aggression and working towards a just and lasting peace," UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said, commenting on the government's decision to fund the repairs.
The UK government also noted that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Britain has provided Ukraine with almost £25 billion (more than $33 billion) in total support and imposed sanctions on more than 3,500 Russian individuals, organisations and vessels.
