Ukrainian Historian Alferov Heads Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has officially appointed Oleksandr Alferov as the head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, which is an important step towards updating national historical memory and further work in the field of preserving the country's cultural heritage. This appointment was the result of a decision adopted by the government during one of the last meetings, as the previous head of the institute, Anton Drobovych, was dismissed on December 13 due to the expiration of his contract. The new head of the institution is a well-known Ukrainian historian, public figure, and also an active participant in the national defense and volunteer movement. Alferov has extensive scientific experience: since 2010 he has worked at the Institute of History of Ukraine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, his portfolio includes 15 books, including author's works, as well as mainly popular science articles and collections. His publications are known for their in-depth analysis of historical processes and events of the Ukrainian past, which provides a basis for active work in the field of state memory. In addition to scientific activities, Alferov is actively involved in World War II with Russian aggression. He is an officer with combat experience: from the beginning of the large-scale invasion, he was part of the volunteer formation of the Azov-Kyiv SSO. Since September 2022, he has held the position of officer in the 3rd separate assault brigade, where he headed the humanitarian training group and was responsible for information support and psychological support of personnel. Alferov holds the military rank of major in the reserve, which confirms his unwavering commitment to protecting the independence and integrity of Ukraine. In addition to scientific and combat activities, Oleksandr Alferov served as the head of the expert group on derussification in Kyiv. His active position on these issues is of great importance for the formation of an effective state policy on the decolonization of history and countering the destruction of Ukrainian identity in the conditions of war. Alferov’s appointment as head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance opens a new chapter in the field of work with the country’s historical memory. This should contribute to greater transparency in the coverage of Ukrainian history, strengthen work on honoring heroes and events of the past, and combat distortions of historical facts, which would contribute to the consolidation of Ukrainian society in the face of modern challenges.