Energy regulator confirms death of former NRECU head Valeriy Tarasyuk

On 28 October 2026, news emerged of the tragic death of Valeriy Tarasyuk, who previously held the position of head of the National Commission for State Regulation in Energy and Public Services (NRECU). As journalists found out, the cause of death was a road traffic accident. Official bodies are currently not disclosing detailed circumstances of the incident.

Regulator's reaction

It was the NRECU that confirmed the fact of the death of its former head. Information about the possible cause of death was initially published by the "Interfax-Ukraine" agency, citing sources in the publication "Enerhoreforma" who were aware of the situation.

«З глибоким сумом і болем повідомляємо про трагічну загибель нашого колеги, колишнього Голови та члена НКРЕКП Валерія Володимировича Тарасюка» (With deep sorrow and pain, we announce the tragic death of our colleague, former Chairman and member of the NRECU, Valeriy Volodymyrovych Tarasyuk), – it is stated in the commission's official appeal.

The regulator emphasised that Tarasyuk dedicated a significant part of his professional life to the development of the energy industry in Ukraine. He repeatedly held leadership positions in the commission, was a member of the regulator, and actively participated in decision-making related to the development of the energy sector. Colleagues remember him as an experienced leader with whom they worked on complex issues of state regulation for many years.

«Важко знайти слова, коли так раптово обривається людське життя. Особливо коли йдеться про людину, з якою пліч-о-пліч працювали багато років, разом ухвалювали непрості рішення, долали виклики та розділяли відповідальність» (It is hard to find words when a human life is so abruptly cut short. Especially when it concerns a person with whom one worked shoulder to shoulder for many years, jointly made difficult decisions, overcame challenges, and shared responsibility), – the NRECU added.

Commission representatives also underlined that for the team, Valeriy Tarasyuk was not only a leader and specialist, but also a colleague with whom they had to discuss contentious issues and seek common solutions. The NRECU expressed sincere condolences to the family, loved ones, and everyone who knew Valeriy Tarasyuk.

Incident details

According to "Interfax-Ukraine", sources from the publication "Enerhoreforma" reported that the former NRECU head died as a result of a road accident. Meanwhile, the cause of death is not specified in the energy regulator's official statement itself.

At present, there is no information about the location of the accident, its specific circumstances, or other possible participants in the road incident.

Valeriy Tarasyuk's life path

Valeriy Tarasyuk was born on 31 August 1976 in the settlement of Kazanka in Mykolaiv Oblast.

In 1998, he graduated from the Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv with a degree in "international law".

Before starting work at the state energy regulator, Tarasyuk held leadership positions in the private sector. In particular, from 2006 to 2014, he headed the legal department and worked as vice-president of the company "VS Energy International Ukraine".

On 27 August 2014, Valeriy Tarasyuk was first appointed a member of the NRECU. In March 2016, he left this position.

In October 2019, he returned to the composition of the National Commission, and already in November of that year, he headed the regulator. He worked as the head of the NRECU until February 2022.

In March 2024, Valeriy Tarasyuk was elected head of the NRECU for the second time.

Throughout his professional career, he dealt with issues of state regulation of energy markets and public services. The NRECU emphasised that Tarasyuk was directly involved in important decisions and changes in the industry.

Recall that it was previously reported that Valeriy Tarasyuk returned to the position of head of the NRECU in March 2024. Shortly after his appointment, he announced information attacks from anonymous Telegram channels. At that time, Tarasyuk publicly reacted to accusations of inaction that appeared within the first days of his work in the position.