The Prom Went On in Kyiv, but Masha’s Date Danced Alone

Masha was dreaming of her school prom. Dreaming of being the lead dancer in the choreographed group waltz—a centerpiece of Ukrainian proms—and of the dress she still hadn’t chosen. But even though her days were briefly filled with normal teenage things, Russia’s war on Ukraine ground on. Masha never danced her waltz: A missile strike on her Kyiv apartment block killed the 15-year-old along with her father and grandmother. In this powerful piece, her best friend, Laura, and her dance partner, Yehor, remember her. On prom night, Yehor insisted on waltzing alone, lifting his arms into the empty air where Masha should have been.

It was cold and dark and Russia was relentlessly bombing Ukraine’s energy grid. Most nights, Russian missiles and drones soared across Ukraine’s skies, targeting power plants like the one in Masha’s neighborhood. Everything was exhausting. Waltz rehearsals gave the students the rare chance in wartime to look forward to something.

Masha had danced since she was 5 years old and was enrolled in classes, including jazz, at a studio near her home. Although an older student was tasked with teaching the students the waltz, Masha, who dreamed of one day working as a professional choreographer, always offered suggestions. She helped choose the song “Love Story,” because she found it especially tender. As the most experienced dancer and the smallest girl in the group, she was chosen to be lifted and spun — the starring role.