Ukrainian reservists marry at Kyiv checkpoint as Russian army closes in

Ukrainian reservists marry at Kyiv checkpoint as Russian army closes in

For a Kyiv couple of Lesia Ivashchenko and Valerii Filimonov, who have been together for twenty years and raised an 18-year-old daughter, an official marriage was never of any significance.

But when the war knocked on their door, the two said they reconsidered their attitude towards marriage and decided to tie the knot.

Donning military uniforms instead of a wedding dress and tuxedo, Lesia and Valerii, both members of Ukraine's territorial defence unit, exchanged their rings in front of fellow fighters and military chaplain.