Britain pledges £17 million to repair Chernobyl power plant hit by Russian drone strike

Britain is to finance essential repairs at the Chernobyl nuclear site following a Russian drone strike, as Andy Burnham sought to reinforce support for Ukraine during “dark and difficult days” for the nation.

The UK will contribute £17 million towards restoring the plant’s protective shelter and ventilation systems damaged in an attack last year, following concerns that corrosion could pose long-term safety and environmental hazards.

Chancellor John Healey stated the Government’s devotion to the Ukrainian people was “unshakeable”, while Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband declared Britain will “stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and will do so until they prevail”.

This UK funding pledge forms part of a broader international effort coordinated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, alongside the Ukrainian government and G7 donors.

The support follows a meeting where the Prime Minister hosted Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street on Wednesday, assuring the Ukrainian president that Britain was “behind you and that will not change”.

Mr Zelensky was greeted at No 10 by an unprecedented honour guard provided by troops from the Irish Guards.

The gathering occurred during a period of strained relations between Ukraine and the US, after Donald Trump relaxed sanctions on Russian diesel last week as high domestic fuel prices threatened to overshadow November’s mid-term elections.

The UK responded to the agreement by pledging to “maintain pressure on Russia”.

In recent days, the US president has also indicated Ukraine requires a new leader and claimed Russian leader Vladimir Putin is more eager for a peace deal than officials in Kyiv.

Speaking in the Commons ahead of his talks with Mr Zelensky, the Prime Minister said he would attempt to restore Donald Trump’s support for Ukraine.

During Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Burnham noted he was being “careful” with his choice of words following Mr Trump’s diesel arrangement with Russia, saying he was “laying the ground” for a reconciliation.

He added: “I will listen to President Zelensky carefully, but he won’t be going away from Britain today empty-handed.”

In his meeting with Mr Zelensky, he confirmed the UK would speed up deliveries of vital air defence missiles to Ukraine amid “heavy bombardment” from Russian forces.

The accelerated aid will deliver faster consignments of British lightweight multi-role missiles, which have proved effective against Russian jet-powered drones.

Russia continues to attack Ukraine’s energy grid, alongside oil and gas facilities, after Mr Trump claimed the two nations had agreed to an “energy ceasefire”.

Announcing the new repair funds for Chernobyl, Mr Healey said: “As the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Putin continues, our commitment to the Ukrainian people is unshakeable.

“We are curtailing the war chest funding Putin so desperately wants and backing the reconstruction of Ukraine that has suffered at the hands of his barbaric attacks.”

Mr Miliband said: “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.”