A married couple of scientists planned to attend "Natalka Poltavka" at the Franko Theater on the day of their tragedy.

The married couple of scientists, Olesya Sokur and Igor Zima, planned to visit the theater on the first evening of 2025 to watch the performance "Natalka Poltavka," based on the play by Ivan Kotlyarevsky. Russian drones attacking Kyiv on January 1 disrupted the plans of those who loved the theater and frequently attended performances. Information about the tickets purchased by the scientists shortly before their death was shared on the Facebook page of the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater.

The note indicated that Olesya Sokur and Igor Zima had bought tickets for the first performance of the theater in 2025. It turned out that the couple chose the play "Natalka Poltavka" but did not get to see it because "the RF decided it had the right to take their lives." It was noted that Olesya and Igor were regular patrons of the theater. The couple was described as "good friends" and loyal audience members, and it was emphasized that they were "an integral part of the theatrical family."

"This is not a war. This is terror. This is a crime for which there is no and cannot be forgiveness. Eternal memory… and endless rage," the message stated.

The administration of the Franko Theater expressed sincere condolences to the relatives and colleagues of the deceased couple, Olesya Sokur and Igor Zima.

On the theater's Facebook page, a black-and-white photo of the scientists, who had planned to see "Natalka Poltavka," was also published. Additionally, the tickets were shown: the performance was set to start at 6 PM on January 1, with seats 25 and 26 close to the stage, in the second row.

Russian Strike on January 1 — Details of the Deaths of Olesya Sokur and Igor Zima

It should be noted that on the night of January 1, the RF launched 111 Shahed kamikaze drones across Ukraine, of which 63 were shot down by air defense systems, and 46 were likely lost locally due to electronic warfare, according to the Air Forces. During the defense against the Russian attack, there were destructions in the center of Kyiv. The Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, reported that the Russians damaged, among other things, buildings in the center of the capital — the administrative buildings of the parliament.

Meanwhile, news of the deaths of the married couple of scientists — Doctor of Biological Sciences Olesya Sokur and neurobiologist, Doctor of Biological Sciences Igor Zima — emerged online. The tragedy occurred at night, leading to their deaths in their own bed, as reported by family friend Daria Dushechkina on Facebook.

It was revealed that both scientists worked at the "Institute of Biology and Medicine" of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Igor Zima, a professor, researcher, and educator, focused on studies in neurophysiology, researching brain function. Olesya Sokur's scientific interests included cell damage in gastrointestinal disease, and she also led a research laboratory, as reported on the Ministry of Education's portal.

As a reminder, on December 20, Russia struck the center of Kyiv, damaging, among other things, St. Nicholas Church: representatives of the parish displayed fragments of stained glass.