The “Honor Run in Memory of Recruit 2026” is set to take place on June 28 in Kyiv, aiming to honor the legacy of Alexey Chubashev, a military journalist and major in Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense. This event, organized in collaboration with his wife, Yulia Chubasheva, has evolved into a broader tribute to all who continue to fight for Ukraine’s freedom.
With the slogan “Honor to be, to run, to remember,” the run emphasizes the dignity of military service, the solidarity of running alongside soldiers, and the importance of remembering those who sacrificed their lives for Ukraine’s independence.
The event has garnered significant support from the National Atomic Energy Generating Company “Energoatom,” which has positioned itself as a key ideological partner. This collaboration highlights the commitment of energy workers who have taken up arms to defend the nation since the onset of the full-scale war.
Pavlo Kovtonyuk, head of Energoatom, expressed the company’s pride in partnering with the run, stating, “This event is not just about kilometers. It is about the people who keep Ukraine standing—those defending the country with weapons and those ensuring it has energy and light. Today, over a thousand Energoatom employees are serving in the Defense Forces. We run in memory of the fallen, in support of the living, and for the future they are fighting for us all. Our motto is simple: ‘We generate energy—strengthening the country.'”
For Energoatom, participating in the Honor Run is an opportunity to pay tribute to colleagues in the nuclear sector and all Ukrainian defenders who have lost their lives in the struggle for independence.
According to Dmitry Chernitsky, a veteran of the Russo-Ukrainian War and CEO of Run Ukraine, the Honor Run is more than just a sporting event. “It is a way to talk about the people who allow Ukraine to continue to live, work, and fight. We are grateful to Energoatom for a partnership built on shared values—responsibility, strength, and memory. It is crucial for society to unite around those defending the country and in memory of those who have given their lives for it,” he stated.
Yulia Chubasheva, co-organizer of the run and widow of Alexey Chubashev, emphasized the event’s significance beyond sports. “It is about bringing together diverse individuals and partners around shared, meaningful values. This new culture has become an essential part of our society, unfortunately born from the memory of those who are no longer with us. I want to express my gratitude and respect to every Energoatom employee who has joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and to extend my condolences for every fallen hero. I am thankful to Energoatom for supporting an event that matters deeply to me and to everyone who has lost loved ones to this war,” she remarked.
The partnership between Energoatom and the Honor Run symbolizes the unity of two vital forces in Ukraine: those ensuring the nation’s energy resilience and those defending it with arms.
The run stands as a symbol of memory, gratitude, and unity around shared values: freedom, dignity, and responsibility to the country.
The “Honor Run in Memory of Recruit 2026” will feature distances of 10 km or 5 km, as well as an online format for participants worldwide. All registration fees will be directed to support the needs of Ukraine’s Defense Forces, allowing each participant to contribute to the ongoing struggle for independence.
Registration is open on the official website: recruitrun.runukraine.org.
Background
Energoatom is the leading electricity producer in Ukraine and a key player in ensuring the country’s energy stability. The company operates four nuclear power plants—Rivne, South Ukraine, Khmelnytskyi, and Zaporizhzhia (currently occupied by Russia). Energoatom is one of Ukraine’s largest employers and tax contributors, consistently supporting the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Run Ukraine is the organizer of the largest running events in Ukraine. Since 2010, it has hosted over 150 international competitions for running enthusiasts. Run Ukraine’s mission is to organize high-level sporting events that inspire and motivate people to engage in running.
The 'Honor Run in Memory of Recruit 2026' will take place on June 28 in Kyiv, honoring the legacy of military journalist Alexey Chubashev and all Ukrainian defenders. The event, supported by Energoatom, aims to raise funds for Ukraine's Defense Forces while promoting unity and remembrance.