Germany Promises to Repair Chernobyl Reactor’s Damaged Protective Cover After Russian Attack

During his stay in Kyiv, German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider declared that Germany would support Ukraine in reconstructing the protective structure over Reactor No. 4 at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which was damaged.

Schneider stressed that Berlin would continue to stand by Ukraine. As part of his visit, he is also expected to visit the exclusion zone near the plant, the site of one of the worst nuclear disasters in history, which occurred in 1986.

The large steel cover, designed to isolate the destroyed reactor, was hit by a drone during the Russia-Ukraine war. The Russian drone attack, carried out in 2025, caused damage to the structure covering Reactor No. 4.

“The damaged protective cover over the reactor must be repaired,” Schneider said.

Experts estimate that the steel structure no longer fully guarantees its protective function. The cost of repairing it is estimated at around $580 million.

The German minister warned that the intervention would be highly complicated and would require cooperation from the international community. “A process has already begun, involving the G7 countries,” he said.

He also stated that Germany would continue to help Ukraine in its efforts to join the European Union. Schneider arrived in Kyiv together with a delegation of businesspeople interested in investing in Ukraine.

“This is particularly important at this time,” the minister said, emphasizing that July was one of the most difficult months for Ukrainian civilians since the start of the war with Russia. The highest number of civilian casualties since May 2022 was recorded during that month.