INTERNATIONAL: In this trying time, members of Ukraine’s territorial defense unit, Lesia Ivashchenko and Valerii Filimonov, decided to seize the day and get married at the Kyiv checkpoint. With a veil and an army chaplain, the wedding ceremony was a success.

There was no stopping Ivashchenko and Filimonov who decided to affirm their love despite these trying times. Wearing military uniforms, the bride and groom walked down towards the army chaplain brimming with joy. They exchanged their vows and rings.

Lesia said that there is no telling of what will happen tomorrow. They must live in the moment and keep hope for a better future.

The bride and groom had not plan to wed although they have been together for twenty years and have raised an 18-year-old daughter together. But the war put things in perspective for them, and the wedding helped lift their spirits.

The wedding was attended by members of Ukraine’s territorial defense unit who held white roses.

Vitali Klitschko, Kyiv mayor, attended the wedding and blessed the couples. He added, “You know what – I want to make a present to them. But the present for every Ukrainian is to finish the war. Every Ukrainian has just one goal – to stop the war, to stop (killings) of civilian people, women. It is a huge hope for everyone, not just in Ukraine.”

Since Moscow launched the invasion on Ukraine on 24 February, the civilian death toll has now climbed to 364, including more than 20 children, according to a March 6th United Nations report.