Ukrainian scientist, politician and public figure Ihor Yukhnovskyi dies aged 98
Ihor Yukhnovskyi, the first Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine in 1992—1993, theoretical physicist, MP of four convocations, and co—founder of the Institute of National Remembrance, has died at the age of 98, announced Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi.
"Ihor Rafailovych Yukhnovskyi has passed away. A bright, kind, wise man. An honorary citizen of Lviv. Creator of Ukraine. The face of independence. We will announce the farewell and funeral later," Sadovyi wrote.
Ihor Yukhnovskyi was a Ukrainian theoretical physicist, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, professor and academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Yukhnovskyi created the Lviv Scientific School of Statistical Physics, the Department of Statistical Theory of Condensed Matter at the Institute of Theoretical Physics of the USSR Academy of Sciences. On its premises, the Institute of Condensed Matter Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine was established in 1990. He was the author of about 500 scientific articles, seven monographs and textbooks.
In addition to his scientific work, Yukhnovskyi was involved in politics. It was he who came up with the idea of a referendum on December 1, 1991, which cemented Ukraine's independence.
Yukhnovskyi was a member of the Ukrainian parliament of the I-IV convocations, and led the opposition in the parliament as the chairman of the People's Council.
In 1991, he was a candidate for the presidency of Ukraine, but received 554,719 votes, or 1.74%.
From October 1992 to 1993, he served as the first deputy prime minister of Ukraine.
Yuhnovskyi received many awards during his lifetime:
- The title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the State (2005);
- Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, IV class (2009);
- Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, V class (2001);
- Order of Merit I class (2000);
- Honorary Award of the President of Ukraine (1995);
- Holder of the Order of the USSR "Badge of Honor" (1975), the Order of the Red Banner of Labor (1985), and the Order of the Patriotic War, I class (1985);
- Award of the President of Ukraine - Jubilee Medal "25 Years of Independence of Ukraine" (2016);
- Order of Freedom (2016).