Katerina Sopelnik

Katerina Sopelnik – is a Ukrainian producer, wife of a well-known TV presenter and volunteer Serhiy Prytula, who became famous for her work on television and active family life.

Biography and family

Kateryna was born on January 13, 1985 in Donetsk. Her father, Viktor Sopelnyk, was a well-known entrepreneur in the construction business in Donbas and even ran for the Verkhovna Rada as a member of the UDAR party. Kateryna’s sister, Svitlana, is the wife of the Party of Regions oligarch Vitaliy Khomutynnyk.

Kateryna graduated from Donetsk Technical College and then continued her studies at Vasyl Stus University. Her major was in international economics, but she did not work in this field. Instead, Sopelnyk decided to look for herself in the capital, and this was a turning point in her life.

Career in television

Kateryna’s career in television began modestly. She got a job as an administrator at the New Channel, where she proved to be an organizer and a skillful manager. Her career path eventually led her to the position of line producer of the popular morning program Pidyom. Thanks to her organizational skills, she gained the trust of her colleagues and management, which helped her career grow.

After the Lift program was closed, Kateryna continued to work as a producer on other popular projects. One of her greatest achievements was her contribution to the creation of the program Passion for the Auditor. Her work was highly appreciated and she gained recognition in the television industry. Kateryna also did not hesitate to share backstage and working moments on her Instagram page, where she periodically posted photos from the set.

Personal life

Kateryna’s personal life became public after she met Serhiy Prytula on the New Channel. At first, they only had a working relationship, but later Kateryna began to actively help Serhiy develop his show, The Variety Show. It was the first Ukrainian-language comedy program on Ukrainian television. Prytula involved Kateryna in the production and management of the project, and their acquaintance grew into a romantic relationship, although they decided to keep it from the public at first.

In 2015, the couple got married in Lviv, which became known only after they shared their wedding photos on social media. The wedding was very modest, attended only by close family and friends, including Serhiy’s colleague and friend Oleksandr Pedan.

In 2017, the couple became parents when their daughter Solomiia was born. This event became a real celebration for the family, and Serhii shared the happy news on social media: “Solomia! Welcome to this incredible world! Love, Mom and Dad.” Later, in 2021, the couple added another daughter, Stefania, to their family.

Life after the outbreak of war

With the outbreak of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the Prytul and Sopelnyk family, like many other Ukrainians, was forced to evacuate. Kateryna and her children moved to western Ukraine, where she started her own business. The couple also has investments in securities that generate a steady income even during the war.

Prytula actively supports his wife in all her endeavors. One of the funny moments Serhiy recounted in the interview was when Kateryna made him buy new jeans because the old ones were too worn out. She joked that, as the head of a charitable foundation, he could not afford to look like a “disgrace to the family.” Prytula also bought two new suits for business trips abroad.

Kateryna, in turn, has rarely posted on Instagram since the outbreak of the war, but she continues to share photos of her children, her husband, and important historical moments related to Ukraine.

Scandals and problems

In 2019, Kateryna’s mother, Lilia Sopelnyk, got into a high-profile situation when she caused a traffic accident in the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv. A woman ran over the mother and her 9-year-old child in the yard of her house when she was reversing. The incident caused serious injuries, and the victims filed a claim for compensation, which led to a trial.

Liliya Sopelnyk was found guilty of the crime and sentenced to 5 years in prison with a suspended sentence. She was also banned from driving for 3 years. Lilia and her family moved to the UK after the incident.

Family values

Serhiy Prytula and Kateryna Sopelnyk actively support each other, and there is no division of “women’s” and “men’s” responsibilities in their family. Prytula notes that there is no such thing as the main or secondary in their union, as they are equal partners. Decisions in the family are made jointly, and they solve everyday issues together, without any division of roles.

Kateryna Sopelnyk is not only a talented producer, but also a strong woman who actively supports her family and strives to develop her business even in times of war. Her support of Serhiy Prytula and her role in the family make her an important figure not only in the media space but also in the everyday life of Ukrainians.