Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 14, On Saturday, Ukraine’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Svitlana Hrynchuk, addressed efforts to repair damage to the containment vessel at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, caused by a drone strike on February 14. Speaking outside the decommissioned facility, she outlined ongoing work to restore the structure’s functionality during the launch of a new 0.8-megawatt solar power installation.
Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, April 12, 2025.
Hrynchuk explained that Ukraine is collaborating with international experts to assess the damage and determine effective repair methods for the containment vessel, known as the arch. She noted: “Unfortunately, after the attack, the arch partially lost its functionality. And now, I think, already in May, we will have the results of the analysis that we are currently conducting ...” The evaluation involves the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, scientific institutions, and companies that helped install the arch in 2019 to encase the original, deteriorating sarcophagus built after the 1986 disaster.
She added: “In a few weeks we will have the first results of this analysis.” Emphasizing the priority of safety, Hrynchuk stated: “We are actively working on this ... We, of course, need to restore the ‘arch’ so that there are no leaks under any circumstances, because ensuring nuclear and radiation safety is the main task.” The drone strike reportedly created a significant hole in the outer layer of the containment structure and caused an explosion inside, affecting its integrity.
The Chornobyl plant, located within a 30-kilometer exclusion zone established after the 1986 accident, remains a critical site. The arch was designed to seal the damaged reactor, preventing further radioactive leaks. Nearby, remnants of the disaster, including abandoned buildings and an amusement park, still stand as reminders of the tragedy.
During her visit, Hrynchuk also highlighted the new solar power facility, which supports the plant’s energy needs and marks a step toward sustainable development in the region. She remarked: “We have been saying for many years that the exclusion zone needs to be transformed into a zone of renewal.” She emphasized the area’s potential for renewable energy projects, noting: “And this territory, like no other in Ukraine, is suitable for developing renewable energy projects.”
The minister’s comments came ahead of two conferences focused on Chornobyl and broader nuclear energy operations. Ukraine continues to prioritize restoring the containment structure while exploring ways to repurpose the exclusion zone for positive development, balancing safety and innovation.
