The Washington Post: Oleksandr Usyk lifts spirits at Ukrainian power plant amid fragile ceasefire

Washington Post reporters Lizzie Johnson and Anastacia Galouchka took readers inside the shell of a DTEK thermal power plant, shattered by russian missiles, to tell the story of workers on the energy frontline … and a global sport star visiting to lend his support.

The Post reported that the facility (unnamed for security reasons) had suffered so many attacks that workers had now stopped replacing the windows. And boarded them up instead.

But on the day the Post visited, DTEK workers were in high spirits despite the simmering tensions of a tenuous ceasefire, the paper reported. Boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk – in a partnership with DTEK – was visiting the plant and brought a morale boost to the dedicated workers.

The Post reported: “It was his first time at a thermal power plant, and what he saw reminded him of an apocalyptic movie set, he said: all twisted metal, mangled machinery and empty window frames. Later, he would post online that the visit with workers ‘deeply moved’ him, as he called for international support and protection for Ukrainian energy.”

Workers enthusiastically gathered around the boxing champion, bringing photos, baseball caps, posters, and even their hard hats for him to sign.

The newspaper detailed the extraordinary dangers these employees face, with essential workers donning hard hats and flak jackets during air raids. It reports that since the full-scale invasion began, 76 DTEK employees have been wounded and five have lost their lives in service to Ukraine's energy security.

Oleksandr, the manager of the boiler department and a 43-year veteran of the facility, shared with the reporters how massive manpower helped restore the plant only to see it "shelled again, and now we're renewing again." Though initially frightened, he explained his dedication: "Well, you can't get used to it, you understand? But this is my profession... Even when rockets were flying, operative personnel have to stay in place."

More photos here.

Read the full interview on The Washington Post.