Marychka Padalko on love with Sobolev: first dates at McDonald’s after the Revolution

Marychka Padalko's memories of her relationship with Yegor Sobolev

According to Главком: TV presenter Marychka Padalko shared her memories of the beginning of her relationship with her husband Yegor Sobolev, which started after the Orange Revolution. The couple recalled their first dates at McDonald's on Khmelnytsky Street in Kyiv. According to Padalko, these meetings were filled with caution as they tried to understand whether their dates were just friendly or held a deeper meaning.

'When we started our relationship, it was a kind of acquaintance where we wanted to learn more about each other. Just after the end of the Orange Revolution, which actually sparked something between us, we began meeting for coffees. And since we were not sure at all if it was just coffee or coffee and something more, we drank this coffee cautiously – in a place where we were sure we wouldn't meet people who knew us. It was McDonald's on Khmelnytsky.' Marychka Padalko

The couple also attended various cultural events, following the rule set by Yegor. 'Yegor had a rule: every weekend there should be some cultural event – an exhibition, a museum, something for our joint leisure and personal development. Our first apartment that we rented as independent adults was in Podil – on Skovorody Street, right above 'Caffa', the first trendy cafe. Most often we went to the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s Art Cultural Center – there were many exhibitions at that time,' Marychka added.

Walks and Cultural Events

Moreover, the TV presenter recalled that they spent time not only in cafes and cultural centers but also enjoyed walks in the historical parts of Kyiv. 'In the family, this was called the 'sandbox': I was taken there to walk. I remember the pebbles by the exit – one higher, one lower, one round, one sharp. I learned to walk there – and it was an achievement for me to walk from the first to the last, balancing. That was my playground – and I loved to walk there. Then I brought my husband there too. And, of course, Volodymyrska Hill, Old Kyiv, the Golden Gates, the place where I grew up,' she noted.

As of mid-February 2026, there are 287 companies registered in Ukraine whose names contain the words 'love', 'romance', or 'cupid'. These romantic names are often chosen for social assistance and religious organizations, reflecting the significance of the theme of love in Ukrainian society.

Marychka Padalko's memories of her relationship with Yegor Sobolev reflect the importance of personal and cultural connections in the lives of Ukrainians, especially in the context of historical events such as the Orange Revolution. Recalling her first dates, the TV presenter emphasizes how personal relationships can be shaped against the backdrop of social changes. The theme of love has also found its reflection in modern Ukrainian business, indicating its enduring relevance in society.