The Death of Alexey Brekht
Alexey Brekht, the former head of Ukraine's national power company Ukrenergo, has died at the age of 47. He was killed on January 21, 2024, while engaged in repair work at a damaged energy facility. Brekht had worked for Ukrenergo for over 24 years, making significant contributions to the development of Ukraine's energy sector. His death underscores the extreme dangers faced by critical infrastructure workers during wartime.
Circumstances of Death and Recognition
Brekht's death occurred while he was working at an energy site that had been damaged in an attack by the Russian Federation. A farewell ceremony was held for him on January 23 at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv, where family and colleagues paid their respects.
A draft resolution to posthumously award him the title of Hero of Ukraine has been registered in parliament by the following lawmakers:
- Lyudmila Buymister
- Anna Skorokhod
- Andriy Zhupanyn
- Andriy Gerus
- Mykhailo Volynets
- Roman Mulik
- Inna Sovsun
- Maksym Khlapuk
Alexey Brekht served as acting Chairman of the Board of NPC Ukrenergo from 2024 to 2025, leaving a notable mark on the history of the country's energy sector. The Hero of Ukraine award is the state's highest honor, and granting it would recognize his professionalism and dedication, while also highlighting the vital and perilous work of energy workers during this national crisis. His efforts to restore Ukraine's energy infrastructure have been crucial for maintaining the nation's power supply stability under relentless attack.