In 2025, funding for the maintenance and management of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone increased to 2.66 billion UAH. These funds are allocated for ensuring nuclear and radiation safety, handling radioactive waste, environmental monitoring, and supporting the infrastructure of the facility.
This is reported by Finway
Details of Expenditure Directions
Compared to the previous year (2024), when 2.31 billion UAH was allocated for these purposes, expenditures increased by 15%. In dollar terms, the increase is about 11% (to 63.8 million dollars), which is partly related to currency fluctuations. The budget execution in 2025 reached 95% – a higher figure compared to last year.
The majority of the funding (1.52 billion UAH, or 57.1%) was directed towards maintaining the stable condition of the shut-down power units, operating and servicing the “Shelter” facility, as well as implementing decommissioning measures. These works remain fundamental for ensuring long-term nuclear safety at the Chernobyl NPP.
Another important direction is the operation of the “Vector” complex infrastructure. For processing, decontamination, and long-term isolated storage of waste, 0.53 billion UAH (20.1% of allocated funds) was spent. The actual execution of this direction amounted to about 80% of the planned volume.
For environmental monitoring, 0.52 billion UAH (19.7%) was allocated. These funds ensured the monitoring of the environmental condition in the exclusion zone, conducting radiation monitoring, and supporting the ecological stability of the area.
Ancillary expenses amounted to 0.09 billion UAH (3.1%), including administrative management, radiation protection measures for the population, and preservation of historical and cultural heritage sites.
Funding Dynamics and Prospects
Funding for the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone has been steadily increasing in recent years:
- 2023 — 2.11 billion UAH;
- 2024 — 2.31 billion UAH;
- 2025 — 2.66 billion UAH.
It is estimated that in 2026, expenditures may exceed 3 billion UAH.
“It should be noted that Greenpeace Ukraine warns that the situation at the Chernobyl NPP worsened after a Russian drone strike in 2025. The New Safe Confinement was damaged – this is a key structure that isolates the destroyed reactor and allows for the dismantling of hazardous objects.”