She dedicated 40 years to sports: first as an athlete, then as a shooting coach. She held the first-category judge status in athletics. She also worked as a physical education teacher at School No. 22 in Bakhmut and later became deputy director of the Bakhmut Youth Sports School. She continued to work there until Russia’s invasion, even though she was retired.
On September 8, during the Russian bombing of the village of Zaitseve in Donetsk region, she was killed along with her husband, 64-year-old native of Zaitseve. They left behind two children and two grandchildren. The couple was buried at the Mariupol cemetery.
Her son, Yevhen Popovskyi, shared the tragic news of his parents’ death: “They had already evacuated, but occasionally returned for things or errands and spent the night in the village. On September 8, they went to their neighbors on Gagarin Street, No. 21. Only ten people gathered there to chat and have lunch. Then two artillery strikes happened, about five minutes apart. My father and neighbor Halyna Tsykun died from the first one, and my mother, Halyna Popovska, along with two other women (one of whom had three children), died in the second. In total, five people died, and five were wounded.”
The Department of Physical Education and Sports of the Bakhmut City Council remarked: “Halyna Mykolaivna nurtured several generations of young athletes. She was known for her kindness and sensitivity, a mentor to both athletes and coaches. Her work experience and dedication helped the school remain a leader.”