A Russian drone attack has destroyed a warehouse containing costumes, sets and props belonging to Kvartal 95, the studio co-founded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The team reported no injuries, but said a large collection of items used over two decades of productions had been lost.
The items included props from concerts, television shows, films and series. The studio stressed that their significance went beyond their material value: each represented the team’s work, rehearsals, filming and memories of past productions.
“To some, these are just things. To us, they are part of Kvartal’s long history. Behind every set, costume or prop are teamwork, filming, rehearsals and dozens of stories we created together with our audiences,” the statement read.
Internationally, Kvartal 95 is best known for its association with Zelensky, who spent many years in entertainment before entering politics. He worked not only as an actor and comedian but also as a screenwriter and artistic director. From 1997 to 2003, Zelensky was a member of the Kvartal 95 team in the KVN comedy competition, later becoming the studio’s artistic director. These stages of his career are documented in his official biography.
The studio was established in 2003, growing out of the comedy team of the same name. One of its best-known productions was Vechirniy Kvartal, a comedy show featuring satirical sketches, impersonations and musical performances. Zelensky was one of its leading performers and appeared regularly on stage, including in sketches about Ukrainian politicians. Alongside its live shows, the studio produced films and television series. History of Kvartal 95.
Among those productions, Servant of the People, which aired from 2015 to 2019, holds a special place. Zelensky played Vasyl Holoborodko, a school history teacher whose impassioned denunciation of corruption goes viral online and makes him famous. In the series, the ordinary teacher unexpectedly wins the presidential election and attempts to reform the political system.
The show’s title later became the name of the political party under which Zelensky ran for president. He won the 2019 election, moving from playing a head of state to becoming one. This connection between his television career and politics brought Servant of the People recognition far beyond Ukraine. About the series and its political context.
In its statement about the warehouse’s destruction, the studio did not specify which productions or series the lost props came from. There is therefore no basis to claim that particular costumes worn by Zelensky or sets from Servant of the People were among the items destroyed.
Despite the loss, the team said it would continue working. All scheduled concerts will go ahead, “with props or without.”
“Russian weapons can destroy property. But they cannot stop us. We continue to work, write new jokes and help Ukrainian defenders,” Kvartal 95 said.
