“Real strength lies in the people”: Oleksandr Usyk at DTEK Energy Evening

At the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk delivered a powerful tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people at DTEK's Annual Energy Evening.

Speaking to international leaders, investors and policymakers, Usyk reflected on the strength he has witnessed throughout the war – from energy workers rebuilding infrastructure after attacks to communities adapting and persevering through extraordinary challenges.

Read his full speech below:

The real strength of Ukraine lies in the people working at DTEK and across our critical infrastructure — the people who keep the country running every day.

The people who keep the lights on, the water running and the gas flowing are incredibly strong. For me, real strength is seeing them return to repair the damage after every missile strike and every attack.

When I wake up after another night of shelling, take my children to school and head to training, I see people who are exhausted and have barely slept.

When you ask them how they are, they simply say: “I’m alive. I made it to training. Now I need to get back to work.”

People continue to live through this war. They continue to help one another. And they continue to carry the light.

I’m incredibly proud of my partnership with DTEK. We’ve been supporting each other for many years.

“People continue to live through this war. They continue to help one another. And they continue to carry the light.”

Oleksandr Usyk’s message at Gdańsk was a tribute to the resilience of Ukrainian people, and especially the energy workers who keep the country powered despite… pic.twitter.com/fV8NOSbjpn

— DTEK Group (@DTEK_Group) June 28, 2026