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Denys Shmyhal

Denys Shmyhal

1975 - born in Lviv.
1997 – graduated from Lviv Polytechnic National University.
2017–2019 – Deputy CEO of DTEK Zakhidenergo, Director of Burshtyn Thermal Power Plant.
2019-08 - Head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration.
March 2020 – appointed Prime Minister of Ukraine.
17 July 2025 - appointed Minister of Defence of Ukraine in Yulia Svyrydenko's government.
2026-01-14 - Appointed First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Energy (248 votes in the Verkhovna Rada).

A statesman who served as Prime Minister of Ukraine for a record 5 years (2020–2025).
Appointed to the strategic energy sector to stabilise the system after attacks on critical infrastructure.
An experienced manager with a deep understanding of the energy sector (former top manager of DTEK Zakhidenergo).
Heads the headquarters for eliminating the consequences of emergencies in Ukraine's energy system.

Position: First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Energy of Ukraine since 14 January 2026.

Official profiles/sources:

Official website of the Ministry of Energy: mev.gov.ua
Telegram channel: t.me/Denys_Smyhal
Facebook: facebook.com/dshmyhal

Denys Shmyhal was born in 1975 in Lviv. He graduated from Lviv Polytechnic University, where he later defended his PhD thesis in economics. He began his career in the business sector, then worked in the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration, and later headed the Government of Ukraine.

After the government reshuffle in the summer of 2025, Shmyhal briefly headed the Ministry of Defence, but in January 2026, at the suggestion of the President, he moved to the position of Minister of Energy. He is currently focusing on decentralising the energy network and attracting used equipment from the EU for the rapid repair of thermal power plants.

Impact:

Denys Shmyhal remains one of the most influential politicians in the country. His new role combines the status of "second in command in the government" with direct management of the fuel and energy complex, which is critical for the state's survival during the winter.

Key tasks and powers:

Stabilising the energy system: coordinating emergency repairs and protecting critical infrastructure.
Attracting international assistance: working with partners to supply generators, transformers and finance energy projects.

Positions

Maximum coordination: believes that overcoming the energy crisis is only possible through the synchronisation of actions by communities, the government and energy companies.
Energy pragmatism: actively supports the idea of transporting equipment from mothballed European power stations to Ukraine as the fastest way to restore the system.
Institutional memory: as a former prime minister, he ensures stability and continuity of decisions in the new cabinet.

FAQ

Why did he leave the post of prime minister?

It was part of a large-scale renewal of the executive branch ("reboot") initiated by the president in the summer of 2025.

How is Shmyhal connected to DTEK?

Before entering politics, he held senior positions at Rinat Akhmetov's company, which gave him a professional understanding of the workings of thermal power plants and networks.