Ukrainian soldiers hold symbolic wedding on front-line amid ongoing conflict

As dusk fell on a hillside beside a river near the eastern front, two Ukrainian servicemen exchanged vows in a Slavic-Orthodox ceremony called Mysteriya, revived by the Azov brigade. The groom, called Ice, and his bride, Khomochka, walked through torch-lit woods to an altar guarded by their comrades, who formed a ceremonial honour guard. Colourful ribbons, wreaths and bonfires surrounded the gathering, while drones typically used for strikes hovered nearby before the ceremony began.

Although the couple had been legally married a year earlier, they regarded the front-line vows as the true commitment. Dmytro Rogoziuk, commander of the 60th Brigade, noted that moments of joy are rare but vital for morale in a war that has lasted over four and a half years. The event highlighted the blend of ancient tradition and modern conflict faced by Ukrainian soldiers.